Amid ban in country, vaping becomes commonplace in Pune colleges

In September 2019, e-cigarettes were completely banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act. Despite the ban, it is easily available at online stores that offer discreet packaging. Some local paan shops, especially those in Koregaon Park and Viman Nagar, also sell them openly.

Aryan said, “We do not use it openly but we do manage to use vapes sneakily in public places, including our college corridors.”

“I have never heard of anyone being caught or fined for having or using it. During the exam season, we end up having smoke sessions in the college library, just to blow off stress,” he admitted.

Another 20-year-old college student studying at a reputed Savitribai Phule Pune University-affiliated college said, “In fact, college students these days have started buying e-cigarettes in bulk and are selling them on college campuses in order to earn easy money. I usually buy mine from a reference or a vendor.”

Widespread usage of e-cigarettes further goes unchecked as not everyone is able to recognise e-cigarettes and the often-discreet design of the device makes it even harder for people to spot.

For example, when Aryan’s hostel warden asked him what the device on his table was, he got away by saying it was just a lighter he uses to light mosquito coils in his room. “The security personnel at malls, metros or other public places also pass it off as an accessory or a highlighter,” he added.

Amid the widespread use of vapes, some youngsters are recognising the dangers of vaping and are trying to quit. “I occasionally vape as it negatively impacts my vocal chords,” said a 19-year-old from a private university who aspires to be a vocalist.

A 21-year-old who will be graduating next year, said, “I plan to stop after my graduation because it is not the best thing for me and I do not even like it that much. It’s just that it is quite difficult to stop smoking while still being in college because everyone around you is smoking.”

Rucha Divekar, a consultant psychologist at the Ruby Hall Clinic, said, “Even 10th graders and boarding school kids are using vapes these days. Though India has banned e-cigarettes, kids have a rebellious nature; they’ll do the exact opposite of what they’re told to do. Curbing addiction and curiosity are never the solution. It’s better to spread awareness about it through rigorous campaigns.”

The junior college coordinator of a Hadapsar-based private institute said that in a surprise check of bags, on an average, at least one out of seven students would be found with a vaping device. She added, “The school has taken measures to conduct frequent and unscheduled bag checks to catch these students off guard. We have also started conducting sessions in order to spread awareness. We have appointed counsellors to help these students out.”

(Navya Pathak is an intern with The Indian Express, Pune)