NGO writes to PM for promotion of vaping products (Lead, modifying para 4)

The HeartCare Foundation of India (HCFI) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to encourage and promote vaping products as an alternative to combustible tobacco products like cigarettes, which are more harmful in nature than vaping products.

Dr K.K. Aggarwal, the president of the foundation and several other medical practitioners from the foundation, have written to Modi, asking that the government frame policies and regulations for the promotion of vaping products in India.

Vaping products are tobacco products, less harmful than conventional combustible smoking tobacco products like cigarettes.

The foundation urged the Indian government to frame policies that will address the marketing and advertising for less harmful tobacco products. The Foundation wants the government to frame policies so as to reduce tobacco harm and ensure that access to less risky alternatives are limited only to wean people off cigarettes.

Further, the foundation has asked the government to disallow manufacturers of vaping products from making any unproven health claims, unless they are approved by the relevant authority from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

--IANS

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