Kathmandu, Apr 5: The Nepalese government is gearing up to implement a ban on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) following a joint survey conducted by the Nepal Development Research Institute and the Health Journalist Forum Nepal. Dr. Bhakta Bahadur KC, Senior Health Education Administrator of the Department of Health Services, revealed that the survey report highlighted the necessity of banning e-cigarettes due to existing legal provisions.

Dr. KC clarified that the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies will spearhead the prohibition efforts, leveraging existing regulations. Article 28 of the Tobacco Product (Control and Regulatory) Act of 2071 prohibits the production, import, sale, and distribution of electronic cigarettes. Last year alone, Nepal imported around 32 million e-cigarette devices, primarily from China, with an annual trade value of Rs. 32 billion.

Highlighting concerns over the increasing use of e-cigarettes among youths, Dr. KC noted that approximately 14 percent of individuals aged 16 to 40 are e-cigarette users. Moreover, the survey indicated a rising trend in tobacco product consumption, including new variants like hookah and e-cigarettes, particularly among the youth demographic.

Dr. Jai Bahadur Gurung, a researcher involved in the survey, emphasized the importance of incorporating tobacco control measures into the government’s policy and program agenda. Dr. Dipendraraman Singh, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population, emphasized the need for collective efforts to curb tobacco consumption, citing the staggering daily expenditure of one billion rupees on smoking.

Dr. Krishna Pahari, President of the Nepal Development Research Institute, urged the government to prioritize smoking cessation programs to assist those willing to quit smoking. Saroj Dhungel, President of the Health Journalists’ Forum, highlighted the media’s role in advocating for tobacco control, stressing the need to increase taxes on tobacco products based on the survey’s findings.

The survey revealed that men tend to consume more expensive cigarettes compared to women, with men spending approximately Rs. 11.8 per cigarette and women spending Rs. 5.8 per cigarette. Additionally, 56 percent of tobacco users expressed support for higher taxes on tobacco products.

As the government moves forward with plans to ban e-cigarettes, the focus remains on addressing the growing challenges posed by tobacco consumption, especially among the younger population, while fostering collaboration across sectors to combat this public health issue.