Hyderabad police is raiding hookah parlours that entertain underage smokers.
At a time when Hyderabad police is raiding hookah parlours that entertain underage smokers, comes an innovation that is managing to beat the law that does not allow tobacco and other sedative products to be sold to minors. E-cigarettes are being sold brazenly as 'hookah pens' to minors.
A young girl, not yet 16 years old, volunteered to show us that e-cigarettes can be bought from several outlets in Hyderabad by minors like her.
We visited a perfume shop in the Koti area.
"Want a hookah pen, uncle... good one... like the one that you sold me for 750 rupees with liquid," she asks.
"What colour do you want? I actually suggest you take this one for Rs 2,000, it is a platinum product. One charge will last you for 15-18 days," says the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper markets a more expensive product, demonstrates how that is superior. He even volunteers to show how the hookah pen is to be filled with liquid and used.
"You can take mint, salsa, cigar, kiwi, any flavour. The refill costs Rs 350 and lasts three days or so. It will give 3000 puffs," he says.
For the uninitiated, it is a e-cigarette. Among the lowest priced is one that costs Rs 750 and comes with a charger. The liquid is in a container that says it contains propylene glycol liquid and warns that it is not meant for youngsters under 18 or for pregnant women.
Doctors say it is known to be carcinogenic, cancer-causing, and the additives that appear to be in several flavours, including zarda or tobacco and fruits, is often addictive.
Achyuta Rao, child rights activist, says he has collected samples and sent them for analysis. "Everywhere, in the name of pan shop, bakery shop and stationary shop, they are selling these hookah pens. Specially near the educational institutes, like junior college and high school. They are obviously targetting youngsters," he says.
Youngsters say the hookah pen is popular because it looks swanky and it saves several thousand rupees that you could spend in a hookah parlour.
"Hookah Pen advantage is that parents won't know. Don't need to go to parlours. You can smoke at home. Use pen and liquid. Even a 13-year-old child can buy easily, they are not asking age," an 11th class student told NDTV.
Her friend says even this turns out expensive as the liquid that is available for 150 rupees lasts hardly two-three days, depending on usage. "After you get used to it, you can't do without it."
E-cigarette can also be ordered online, as we discovered. Some come with a liquid whose container does not even say what it is made of.
Hyderabad police said they are definitely concerned about this relatively new trend and are collecting intelligence on several outlets selling hookah pens to underage users.