New Delhi: Educationists, policymakers and healthcare experts on Thursday raised concerns over poor implementation of anti-vaping laws in India and called for stricter enforcement along with greater awareness in school curricula to protect children from nicotine addiction.

At a seminar organised by Mothers Against Vaping (MAV), speakers highlighted that despite India having a strong values-based education system, inadequate ground-level execution and lack of alignment with emerging challenges such as vaping are leaving children vulnerable.

The seminar, themed “Educating for Values, Protecting Our Children: Keeping Novel Nicotine Products Away from Children,” emphasised the growing appeal of e-cigarettes among youth due to their sleek designs, flavoured variants and aggressive promotion on social media, often creating a false perception of reduced harm.

Experts noted that although the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 bans the production, sale and advertisement of such products, they continue to reach school students through informal channels. Unchecked supply and weak enforcement were identified as key concerns.

Ram Singh, Joint Director in the Ministry of Education, stressed the need for coordinated efforts among multiple agencies. He said education, health and enforcement systems must work together, adding that a three-year “Nasha Mukt Vidyalaya” action plan is being rolled out in coordination with agencies like the Narcotics Control Bureau and state police.

Sushma Yadav, Chairperson of the UGC Steering Committee on Learning Outcomes-based Curriculum Framework, pointed out the lack of awareness among educators regarding new-age nicotine products and stressed the need for behavioural change alongside curriculum reforms.

Other experts underlined the importance of integrating emotional and social well-being into education and empowering teachers to identify early signs of behavioural changes among students.

Healthcare professionals also called for a shift towards preventive
approaches, highlighting the role of schools in promoting awareness and early intervention.

The seminar concluded with a call for a national action plan, urging consistent and collective efforts across sectors to safeguard children from addiction.