How India came to deny consumers legal access to safer ways of consuming nicotine

India banned e-cigarettes in 2019 following WHO guidelines, influenced by tobacco control groups and economic factors. Despite court challenges, the ban was supported by the government, significant tobacco donations, and lack of local research. The decision was driven by political and financial interests rather than public health, denying over 100 million smokers access to safer nicotine consumption methods. The regulatory pathway favored by courts was ignored, leading to a ban that benefitted the tobacco industry. Juul's entry into India and foreign expertise also played a role in the outcome, as local industry voices were absent from the debate.