Mumbai, Maharashtra, India:
 On the again of three years of the ban on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDs), the fifth version of ET Consumer Freedom Conclave, an interactive thought management platform, noticed insightful dialogue and debate on the want for an efficient and cohesive smoking cessation strategy to enhance public well being was held.

 

Based on the theme of ‘Adopting a Smoking Cessation Approach to Save Lives’, the summit noticed participation from eminent regulatory voices, policymakers, academia, scientific and medical consultants, authorized, assume tanks, and shopper organizations amongst others who shared their views on shopper freedom and the want for legitimizing alternate hurt discount merchandise to assist people who smoke to cut back or get rid of their well being dangers.

 

Delivering his keynote tackle, Prof. M.V. Rajeev Gowda, Ex-Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha mentioned, “India is missing a public health opportunity of reducing harm with the expansive ban on the broad category of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDs). Such bans are driving the rise in illicit trade methods and encouraging black market. Additionally, it comes in the way of innovation, as these products can be helpful for smokers to phase out their addiction to cigarettes and enable them in quitting smoking. India can take many learnings from other countries which are taking strong strides in their journey to build a smoking cessation category by adopting science-backed policies enabling consumers to make a choice to switch to less harmful alternatives. Using ENDs or heat-not-burn devices can significantly reduce harm, and improve public health. It is time to re-think this ban and rather adopt the policy of regulation.” 

 

During a dialogue on position of progressive insurance policies in serving to international locations obtain its public well being objectives, Dr. Kiran Melkote, Orthopaedic surgeon primarily based in Delhi, India, and member of AHRER – Association for Harm Reduction, Education and Research mentioned, “On an average it takes smokers 30 attempts to quit and the large majority never manages to do so as the likelihood of quitting decreases with each attempt. The ban on ENDs has only managed to remove a competitor for cigarettes and cemented the tobacco industry in India. The inclusion of Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT) in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) is a step in the right direction, however, we need to keep progressing on such policies. Lastly, while drafting laws there must be a representation of tobacco users to understand their fears and aspirations into account which is lacking at the moment.” 

 

Sharing his perspective on how folks can higher sensitize each the lawmakers and the inhabitants on the advantages of switching to much less dangerous alternate options, Prof Dr. Nimesh G Desai, Senior Consultant in Psychiatry, and former Director IHBAS mentioned, “In the last 30-40 years, there have been progressive policies and programs for tobacco control and harm reduction by the Government. Addictions related to alcohol and tobacco can be defined as bio-behavioural disorders which unfortunately also bring significant social and moral dimensions. For products where we have equivocal evidence, regulation is a much better approach than an outright ban.”

 

Upendra N Sharma, Partner, JSA Advocates & Solicitors shares, “India needs to strengthen dialogue on regulation and adopt policies that will help achieve the larger national goals and objectives. Today, banned products are available in the grey market resulting in revenue loss for the exchequer. Additionally, there is no control on quality and youth of any age has access to it.”

 

Sharing his views on the main challenges of substance abuse in the context of quitting chilly turkey or discovering alternate options, Charles A. Gardner, PhD, Executive Director, INNCO mentioned, “Every smoker is different, one size does not fit all. Contrary to the belief that more alternatives will increase nicotine usage or dependency, more options to quit a deadly product is always better. We must encourage people to move away from toxic forms of tobacco and nicotine use. There is a need to understand that nicotine is not carcinogenic or does not cause other health problems usually associated with smoking. Such misinformation is the biggest impediment in the public mind but also in policymakers to bring about a positive shift in society.”

 

During a dialogue on legitimizing alternate more healthy merchandise as a technique to assist people who smoke cut back or get rid of their well being dangers, Dr Bharat Gopal, Senior Pulmonologist & Director, National Chest Centre, New Delhi mentioned, “There is a very large unmet need where we are not able to extend help to smokers who wish to quit. Many times the only advice we can give is to quit or die. Whereas, the ideal way would be to provide less harmful alternatives to those who are unable to quit smoking. Harm reduction as part of quitting smoking is a critical aspect that needs to be looked at in a much holistic and integrated way.”

 

The summit additionally highlighted some shopper tales the place people shared their experiences round smoking and their willingness to give up, nonetheless regardless of making an attempt alternate options equivalent to lozenges, patches, and so on. they had been unsuccessful of their endeavor. These people had been unanimous in stating that it is going to be higher to have safer alternate options accessible in the market which might help them cut back the hurt and ultimately, surrender smoking altogether.

 

For extra info on The Economic Times Consumer Freedom Conclave, please go to the web site right here, https://etunwired.et-edge.com/virtual/cfc/