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But if that’s hard to do, e-cigarettes could be a boon for those have made a number of unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking.” ...

SOON a day will come when your wife or girlfriend will stop snubbing you for smoking. Well, yes, there is some good news for all the smokers. To make smoking fun and perhaps, help kick the ‘injurious-to-health’ habit once and for all, an e-cigarette (electronic cigarette) has been made available in China, Israel, Turkey and a number of European countries. As the totally new concept of smoking sans any health hazards is expected to be introduced in other parts of worlds as well, LT gets talking to experts on the latest device that could change the way people smoke, and also if this could be a good substitute to the conventional cigarette whose portrayal on celluloid has been banned by the Government of India.

The medical fraternity has given its thumbs up to the product “provided people are made aware of the device”. Says Dr Rajendra Prasad, HoD, Dept of Pulmonary Diseases, KGMU, “See, the best thing is to quit smoking completely. But if that’s hard to do, e-cigarettes could be a boon for those have made a number of unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking.”

However, many feel that main task is to make this device popular and economical. “E-cigarettes will have to be made popular and its price brought down drastically to encourage people to take it up. The janata here is quite price sensitive and prefers to buy products that are economically priced rather than going in for an expensive product that might be beneficial for their health,” quips ad guru Alyque Padamsee, who on a lighter note adds, “I would smoke an e-cigarette only after wearing rubber gloves so that I don’t get electrocuted!”

But, not everyone is upbeat about this healthy alternative for fagging. Noted adman and lyricist Prasoon Joshi accepts the gadget as a good substitute but feels it won’t find many takers in India. “A habitual smoker will hardly care what makes a positive difference to his health. Only those with a strong will power can only do away with the bad habit and don’t require a device like an e-cigarette,” opines Joshi. Agrees Bobby Ramakant, a city-based social activist who’s involved with an anti-tobacco campaign. He feels that people will be apprehensive of using an e-cigarette, as it may not give them the same kick as the conventional cigarette.

“Despite the fact that people today are more health conscious, their lifestyles are equally unhealthy. A lot is to be done to make people know what’s good for their health and what’s not,” says Bobby.

Perhaps that’s why the Government of India imposed a ban on smoking in films. But would filmmakers like to use this harmless e-cigarette for the drama quotient in their films in place of traditional ones. Joshi isn’t very keen. “People are used to the concept of traditional cigarettes, cigars and even hukkas in both real and reel life. Therefore, they may not be able to digest the fact that a hero or a villain is smoking an e-cigarette.” But there are others who are not so dismissive of the device. Film director Ravi Chopra of Baghban and Babul fame wouldn’t mind using the new cigarette in his movies. “Since e-cigarette smoking is not harmful, I am certainly not averse to the idea of portraying it in one of my upcoming films,” quips Chopra.