Something has changed in Jalandhar’s vape scene over the past one to two months.
Ask around groups of youngsters who previously knew where to find a vape and the answer is increasingly different: they are not as easy to spot or get as they were earlier.
The devices have become less visible around the city’s youth hangout circles, while access appears to be shifting towards private contacts, closed groups and word-of-mouth networks.
But the bigger question is — has the demand actually gone down, or has the supply simply gone underground?
According to accounts from youngsters familiar with the local market, vapes that could earlier be accessed in the ₹1500 to ₹1,800 range, depending on the device and capacity, have in some cases been quoted at around ₹3,000–₹3,500 amid the recent squeeze in availability.
That is a significant jump.
And it tells a bigger story about what happens when an already prohibited product becomes harder to source.
The product becomes less visible, supply becomes more restricted and the people who still have access can charge a premium.
For many young users, vaping was never treated like traditional smoking.
Small disposable devices, different flavours and easy portability helped make them part of social gatherings and friend groups. Someone would bring one, others would try it, and for some users, occasional use could gradually become a regular habit.
That social element is important.
A vape can move through a group in a matter of minutes, making experimentation feel normal — particularly when several people around the user are already vaping.
But the key ingredient remains nicotine, which can lead to dependence.
India banned the production, import, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertising of electronic cigarettes under the 2019 Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act. The health ministry has also highlighted concerns around nicotine dependence and youth use.
The change being noticed among youngsters in Jalandhar appears to be relatively recent.
Instead of being something that can simply be spotted or asked for casually, access is increasingly discussed through personal contacts and private conversations.
That can mean knowing someone who already has a supply, getting a contact through a friend, or being added to a private messaging group.
In other words, the market does not necessarily disappear when the product disappears from plain sight.
It changes the way people reach it.
Certain locations have also been mentioned by youngsters in conversations around where vape products could previously be accessed, including areas around Reefer Café, near Sattva and around Imperia Suites.
However, being mentioned in connection with local vape culture does not establish that these establishments themselves sold illegal products. There is also no basis to claim that they are currently involved in any such activity.
The important point is the wider youth network around these locations — and how quickly information about vape availability can travel between groups.
Jalandhar police have continued taking action against prohibited products.
In May 2026, Commissionerate Police reportedly raided a shop in Mota Singh Market and recovered e-cigarettes along with hookah flavours. The action is one indication that prohibited vaping products continue to enter local circulation despite the ban.
Nationally, authorities have also reported major seizures of illegal e-cigarettes, suggesting that the underground supply chain remains active.
That may be the bigger story.
For some, it is curiosity. For others, peer influence. For regular users, it can become a nicotine habit.
And because vapes often come in flavours and compact designs, they can be perceived as less serious than conventional cigarettes — even though nicotine dependence remains a concern.
So Jalandhar’s vape crunch may not actually be about vapes disappearing.
It may be about visibility disappearing.
Over the last one to two months, the devices have become harder to spot among youngsters. Prices have reportedly climbed sharply, while access has moved towards private contacts and closed networks.
The vape may be out of sight. The price may be through the roof. But the real question is — has the demand actually disappeared?