Nagpur: Sleek, colourful, and often mistaken for Bluetooth speakers or power banks — vapes have quietly made their way into the hands of teenagers and college students across the city. Driven by peer pressure, social trends, and an array of sweet flavours, many youth are falling prey to the addictive trap of vaping, despite a nationwide ban under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
Aashna (name changed), an engineering student from Nagpur, shared how what began as a casual activity soon turned into a struggle with addiction. “I started vaping with friends during an outing. It didn’t smell bad like cigarettes and came in so many flavours. I thought it was safe, but now I realise how hard it is to quit,” she said.
Experts are raising alarm over the growing dependence among teens. Dr. Neha Bhave, a city-based child psychiatrist, explained that most youngsters underestimate the risks. “The effects aren’t instant, so they assume it’s harmless. But with time, vaping leads to memory issues, lack of focus, and emotional detachment. It often results in a loss of interest in studies and relationships — and in some cases, escalates to depression or harder substance use,” she said.
The concern isn’t just health-related. The Nagpur Police have launched Operation Thunder to curb the illegal sale and distribution of vapes and e-cigarettes. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 5), Niketan Kadam, confirmed that these banned products are often sold at paan kiosks near schools and colleges. “Many users don’t even realise it’s a legal offence. We’re not just targeting the sellers — even possession can attract penalties,” he warned.
According to DCP Kadam, the source of these products lies in a shadowy network of illegal trade. “Vapes are being ordered via the dark web or smuggled into the country and then circulated through underground channels. Under Commissioner Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal’s leadership, we’ve intensified our crackdown and will continue to act aggressively to dismantle these networks.”
As enforcement intensifies, health professionals and law authorities alike stress the need for early intervention, awareness, and strong community support to protect Nagpur’s youth from this emerging epidemic. Parents and educators are urged to be vigilant — because the next ‘gadget’ in a child’s bag might be something far more dangerous than it looks.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com