Context: 

The Australian government said it wanted to crack down on the use of e-cigarettes in an effort to reduce smoking and stamp out vaping.

About e-cigarettes: 

• E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat a solution of nicotine and different flavours to create aerosol, which is then inhaled. 
• These devices belong to a category of vapour-based nicotine products called ENDS.
• An e-cigarette emits vaporise nicotine, or non-nicotine solutions. 
• The user inhales it looking for a sensation similar to inhaling tobacco smoke, but without the smoke.

Associated Harms:

• These products have neither been assessed for safety in the national population, nor been approved under provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
• As per the white paper released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) the uses of ENDS, or e-cigarettes, have “documented adverse effects” which include 
  • DNA damage
  • carcinogenesis (initiation of cancer formation)
  • cellular, molecular and immunological toxicity
  • respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological disorders
  • impacts on foetal development and pregnancy.                                                                                                                                   

News Source: Indian Express