Vape use rises in Pune despite nationwide ban

Gen Z youth continue using e-cigarettes citing taste and convenience; police record frequent seizures

- Varad Bhatkhande

Despite a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes, vaping continues to gain popularity among the city’s youth.

Gen Z users in Pune say they prefer vapes over traditional cigarettes for their flavour, convenience and lack of odour — even though the sale, possession and use of e-cigarettes remain prohibited under Indian law. E-cigarettes, or vapes, are electronic smoking devices that heat a liquid—known as vape juice or e-liquid—into an aerosol inhaled by users. The liquid usually contains nicotine, flavourings and other chemicals. The modern e-cigarette was invented in 2003 by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik and first entered the market in 2004.