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Mothers Against Vaping throws light on WHO's warning over use of new-age gateway devices

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New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) Mothers Against Vaping, a united front of proactive and concerned mothers who are combatting the escalating vaping crisis among youth, has highlighted the urgent need to take immediate action on the World Health Organisation’s call on South East Asian countries to curb use of new-age gateway devices such as e-cigarettes and vapes, particularly among children and youth.

The WHO’s warning against the increasing rise of vaping in the region underscores and reemphasises the required urgency to control the viral spread of e-cigarettes and other new-age gateway products.

Mothers Against Vaping has reiterated that there is insufficient evidence to support the efficacy of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation and these devices pose significant health risks to children and youth. In December 2023, WHO emphasised that e-cigarettes have not demonstrated effectiveness in quitting tobacco use, with emerging evidence pointing to adverse population health effects associated with these new-age electronic devices.

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“WHO is right in asserting that e-cigarettes are not effective in smoking cessation. Scientifically, claiming that e-cigarettes can eliminate nicotine addiction is not accurate, given that these devices contain nicotine. Furthermore, the use of e-cigarettes poses a risk of delivering higher doses of nicotine and other harmful chemicals, potentially causing more harm to users. Hence there is an urgent need for effective measures to curb their usage, especially among the youth,” said Dr. Rajesh Gupta – Additional Director, Pulmonology & Critical Care, Fortis Healthcare, Noida.

According to WHO, the South-East Asia Region has a significant prevalence of smokeless tobacco users, accounting for a massive 77% of the global smokeless tobacco user population. Alarmingly, there are around 11 million adolescent users in the age group of 13-15 years, constituting nearly 30% of the global total. The region is witnessing a rising trend in the use of e-cigarettes and other new-age gateway products, particularly among young people.

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“The surge in the use of e-cigarettes among young people is not surprising, influenced by a various of factors including peer pressure and aggressive advertising by manufacturers. Beyond the evident physical harm caused by vaping or e-cigarettes, there is a critical concern about the serious mental health impacts such as mood and anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts and depressive symptoms,” said Dr. Bhavna Barmi, Clinical Psychologist, Founder, Happiness Studio.

Mothers Against Vaping has drawn attention to a survey conducted by the American Heart Association, presented in February 2023. The findings of the survey revealed a concerning correlation between vaping nicotine and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component in marijuana and self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety.

“The long-term consequences of e-cigarettes remain unknown, but studies have already demonstrated serious lung injuries and adverse health effects associated with their use. Without effective control measures, the widespread prevalence of these new-age devices, poses a genuine risk, potentially leaving our future generation with lasting health impairments. From causing chemical poisoning in users to jeopardising maternal and foetal health, vaping presents a myriad of physical health risks,” said Dr. Varuna Pathak – former Professor of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Gandhi Medical College.

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India has been at the forefront of banning e-cigarettes and other similar new-age gateway devices. The PECA 2019 legislation has prohibited all aspects of electronic cigarette products including production, manufacturing, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of e-cigarettes, the law renders them illegal in the country. According to Mothers Against Vaping, India and other nations should prioritise demand reduction strategies.

–IANS

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BJP ran away from debate in MP Assembly, says Jitu Patwari

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Bhopal, July 6 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Jitu Patwari on Saturday accused Chief Minister Mohan Yadav-led BJP government of running away from the debate in the Assembly.

He claimed that the Assembly was adjourned sine die nine days before its schedule because the Congress legislators raised public issues in the House.

The monsoon session of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly that had begun in July, was adjourned sine die on July 5, while the session was scheduled to run till July 14.

“The BJP adjourned the House hurriedly because the Congress exposed their failure. Even the BJP MLAs were questioned over Nal Jal Yojana, which is why the Assembly was adjourned before its scheduled time,” Patwari said during a press conference.

He also claimed that the BJP government did not reply to 64 per cent of the questions asked during the monsoon session.

“Congress and BJP MLAs have asked a total of 4,270 questions, of which 2,756 went unanswered,” Patwari said.

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Meanwhile, the State Congress Chief targeted Chief Minister Yadav over unemployment and the law and order situation in the state.

–IANS

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Kerala HC asks Railways to manage waste on tracks

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Kochi, July 6 (IANS) The Kerala High Court has slammed Indian Railways for the waste found besides tracks and directed it to ensure proper disposal of garbage.

A Division Bench of the High Court made these observations while hearing the case that was registered by it suo motu after a fire broke out at Brahmapuram, near here and also dealing with the management of gypsum generated by Fertilizers & Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT).

The court observed that Railways has a duty to prevent the disposal of waste on tracks.

It said that while the waste generated near the railway stations was managed, not much was being done to remove garbage from the side of the tracks.

The court said the main reason for this dumping was that train compartments do not have adequate garbage bins.

It further pointed out that the waste disposed on the tracks flows into water bodies causing damage to the environment.

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The court, looking into the two cases, directed Indian Railways to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken to clear the plastic waste from tracks.

On the second issue, the court expressed whether the gypsum generated could be used in road construction and asked FACT and the National Highway Authority of India to explore the possibility.

The court posted the case for further hearing on July 26.

–IANS

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Bolpur tragedy: Two persons arrested, extra-marital affair emerges

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Kolkata, July 6 (IANS) The police have arrested two persons, including a woman, in connection with the carnage at Bolpur in West Bengal’s Birbhum district which killed three members of the same family.

The woman who has been arrested in this connection is Smirti Bibi, who is the wife of Sheikh Ratan, the younger brother of Sheikh Tuta, 40, who was killed in the carnage.

Besides, Sheikh Tuta, his wife Rumpa Bibi, 30, and son Ayan Sheikh, 94, were also killed in the carnage.

Sheikh Safiqul, a quack residing in an adjacent village, with whom Smirti Bibi allegedly had an extra-marital affair, had also been arrested in connection with the incident.

Based on the complaint lodged by other members of the family, there were often quarrels in the family over an alleged extra-marital affair.

The family members as well as the neighbours of the family have informed the police that since Sheikh Tuta was vocal against this extra-marital affair, both Smirti Bibi and her paramour had developed a grudge over the deceased person.

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On early Friday morning, the room where the three deceased individuals were sleeping was set on fire.

While Rumpa Bibi and Ayan Sheikh died on Friday only after they were brought to the hospital, Sheikh Tuta died early Saturday morning.

The local police have started an investigation into the matter.

Sources said that based on statements of different persons as well as some circumstantial evidence, the two persons were arrested on Saturday.

–IANS

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Rowdy elements should be afraid of the police, says K’taka CM

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Bengaluru, June 6 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Saturday that rowdy elements should be afraid of the police, adding that it is a shame that some policemen do not even know that the e-beat system is in place.

“Why are you given guns? Why are rowdies not afraid of it,” Siddaramaiah questioned the state police while speaking after the inauguration of the 2024 Senior Police Officers Conference at the police headquarters here.

He also released a new software on the occasion.

“Who are the drug dealers? The respective station officials know who the rowdies and real estate agents are.” He asked why it was not stopping.

He congratulated Home Minister G. Parameshwara and the Karnataka Police for maintaining law and order without communal riots in the state in the last one year.

The CM gave a clear instruction that it is mandatory for every SP-DCP-IG to visit and inspect every station in their jurisdiction as per the police manual.

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–IANS

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PM Modi congratulates Iran's new President Pezeshkian

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New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Masoud Pezeshkian for his election as Iran’s new President.

“Looking forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our warm and long-standing bilateral relationship for the benefit of our people and the region,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

India-Iran partnership in various sectors, including connectivity, has expanded tremendously in recent times, especially during the tenure of Iran’s late President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi who passed away in a helicopter crash in May this year.

India had also observed a day’s state mourning as a mark of respect to the late Iranian President and other eight people, including the country’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who lost their lives in the tragic accident.

It was also under India’s presidency that Iran joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Both countries have fast-tracked infrastructure cooperation, focusing especially on the Chabahar project and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) – the 7,200 km-long multimodal trade corridor linking Russia with India via the ports of Iran.

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–IANS

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