The viral vaping video of Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has opened a Pandora’s box. Opinions are pouring in, debates are raging, and moral high-ground wars have begun. While some are focused on the act of vaping inside a dressing room, others are questioning the bigger issue of availability of e-cigarettes despite a complete ban.
This episode has also reignited a familiar debate: is vaping a “cool” alternative to smoking, or just a cleverly repackaged risk?
INDIA PULLED THE PLUG ON VAPES
E-cigarettes were officially banned in India in 2019 under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019. The law prohibits the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of e-cigarettes. The rationale was clear. Both the World Health Organization and the Indian Council of Medical Research flagged the potential health risks ranging from cardiovascular to respiratory diseases. And yet, despite being declared “dead on paper,” vaping refuses to disappear. It resurfaces, lingers in the shadows, and sparks outrage when a public figure is caught in the act.
VAPING: COOL OR CLEVERLY MARKETED?
Vapes quickly positioned themselves as a “better” alternative to smoking. Many traditional smokers turned to them hoping to quit eventually. But it wasn’t just about quitting. Sleek designs, easy portability, and a flood of flavors made vaping especially appealing to the young. While cigarettes carried a stigma, vapes were rebranded as a style statement. A vice repackaged as a lifestyle without the graphic warnings that dominate cigarette packs.
THE VAPE MYTH
While the dangers of cigarettes are widely known, vaping carries the illusion of safety. The claim of being “less harmful” has, over time, been misread as “harmless.” Yes, vapes avoid combustion. But they still expose users to nicotine and toxic substances that can impact the heart and brain over time. Unlike cigarettes, vaping has pulled in a large number of first-time users who were drawn in by smart marketing. Resulting in Nicotine addiction expanding rather than shrinking. Instead of replacing smoking, vaping often coexists with it. Many users end up doing both, increasing overall exposure rather than reducing it.
DO CIGARETTES GET A PASS?
Well, Cigarettes don’t get a free pass instead they get regulated tolerance. Tobacco is a classic “sin good” that is heavily taxed, widely consumed, and is also a significant contributor to government revenue. But economics is not the complete story. India is among the world’s largest producers and exporters of tobacco, supporting millions of livelihoods across farming, processing, and manufacturing.
An outright ban might cause economic and social disruption. So instead of prohibition, the government relies on high taxes, strict packaging rules, and restrictions on public smoking to curb consumption, but there are exceptions. Odisha, for example has taken a stricter route, imposing a ban on Gutkha, pan masala, and certain tobacco products.
So, the real issue is not the viral video or who was seen vaping. It’s how easily it is still available. The real issue is enforcement, which means nothing without public cooperation. Outrage cannot be selective and the responsibility doesn’t rest with the authorities alone. It also extends to the consumers who sustain the demand, allowing the sales to flourish.
