<p class="title">In a move that will make the battle against e-cigarettes stronger, the state has classified nicotine as a poisonous substance under the Karnataka Poisons Rules, 2019.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Simply put, it implies that the sale and possession of nicotine will be permitted only in cases where it is prescribed by a psychiatrist and is within the recommended limits. In Section Class A of the Karnataka Poisons (Possession and Sale) Rules, 2015, an amendment has been now made which mentions nicotine as one of the poisonous substances.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Dr Selvaraj, nodal officer, Department of Health and Family Welfare (anti-tobacco cell), said that this (move) would help the department in its fight against the use of vape. "There was a legal hurdle. When we sought for e-cigarette ban, they contended that there was no tobacco (in e-cigarettes) and hence not harmful. Henceforth, legally, we will have a better stand considering that nicotine has now been listed under the Poisons Act," said Dr Selavaraj.</p>.<p class="bodytext">As per the new rule, sale and consumption of nicotine tablets of only 2 mg and 4 mg dosages will be allowed for deaddiction. "Although tobacco has several 3,000 chemicals, Nicotine is the most harmful one," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The decision came after a Gazette notification by the state government issued in March, this year, saw no objections to the move.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The state government had, by a circular in 2016 banned the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or vapes. However, in 2019, a consortium representing the e-tobacco lobby urged the state government to reconsider its decision.</p>.<p class="bodytext">An expert said that several states had already made a decision in this regard. "Punjab is one such example. The suggestion came from the drug controller. So far, nicotine was classified under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and enforcement was a challenge."</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We are still curious about the implication. There is a need for further discussion and understanding what happens to the over-the-counter products in the market in the wake of this order," said a source.</p>
<p class="title">In a move that will make the battle against e-cigarettes stronger, the state has classified nicotine as a poisonous substance under the Karnataka Poisons Rules, 2019.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Simply put, it implies that the sale and possession of nicotine will be permitted only in cases where it is prescribed by a psychiatrist and is within the recommended limits. In Section Class A of the Karnataka Poisons (Possession and Sale) Rules, 2015, an amendment has been now made which mentions nicotine as one of the poisonous substances.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Dr Selvaraj, nodal officer, Department of Health and Family Welfare (anti-tobacco cell), said that this (move) would help the department in its fight against the use of vape. "There was a legal hurdle. When we sought for e-cigarette ban, they contended that there was no tobacco (in e-cigarettes) and hence not harmful. Henceforth, legally, we will have a better stand considering that nicotine has now been listed under the Poisons Act," said Dr Selavaraj.</p>.<p class="bodytext">As per the new rule, sale and consumption of nicotine tablets of only 2 mg and 4 mg dosages will be allowed for deaddiction. "Although tobacco has several 3,000 chemicals, Nicotine is the most harmful one," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The decision came after a Gazette notification by the state government issued in March, this year, saw no objections to the move.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The state government had, by a circular in 2016 banned the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or vapes. However, in 2019, a consortium representing the e-tobacco lobby urged the state government to reconsider its decision.</p>.<p class="bodytext">An expert said that several states had already made a decision in this regard. "Punjab is one such example. The suggestion came from the drug controller. So far, nicotine was classified under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and enforcement was a challenge."</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We are still curious about the implication. There is a need for further discussion and understanding what happens to the over-the-counter products in the market in the wake of this order," said a source.</p>