Hyderabad: EAGLE flags e-cigarette use in schools
HYDERABAD: The use of e-cigarettes has begun spreading to school campuses in Telangana, the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) said on Saturday, expressing concern over rising substance exposure among minors.
In a statement issued from its office, EAGLE said recent incidents brought to its notice revealed that school students were accessing and using banned e-cigarettes.
Pan shops near Jadcherla school booked
Acting on a complaint received through the toll-free number 1908, EAGLE officials conducted surveillance on three pan shops near Badepalli Zilla Parishad High School for Boys in Jadcherla, Mahabubnagar district. Cases were registered against the shop owners for selling cigarettes and gutka to minors.
Officials said that two months ago, information was received that students of Indus School were smoking e-cigarettes inside a school bathroom. During the inquiry, it emerged that one student had taken an e-cigarette used by his father, while another had brought one used by his uncle. The school management admitted that the incident had occurred.
Four Class 9 students found using e-cigarettes
On August 19, 2025, EAGLE officials initiated an inquiry in Nalgonda following inputs that students in some schools were using e-cigarettes. In one school, four Class 9 students were found to be using the banned devices.
Based on intelligence inputs about school students consuming prohibited e-cigarettes, EAGLE’s tech cell prepared a comprehensive report on individuals who had purchased the devices.
Officials said coordinated action involving parents, schools and the police department was needed to curb substance abuse among students.
