Sale, production, import & distribution of e-cigarettes banned in India

September 18: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Wednesday that sale, production, import & distribution of e-cigarettes will be banned in India with immediate effect. This is keeping in mind the impact it is having on the youth today, said FM Sitharaman. The move comes just a week after US President Donald Trump proposed a ban on flavoured e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes came to market in 2007 with the promise that they could help people quit smoking. Yet, many researchers have associated e-cigarettes with growing nicotine dependence among young people. The Health Ministry had proposed to ban the devices in public interest, saying it was needed to ensure e-cigarettes don’t become an “epidemic” among children and young adults.

The Prohibition of E-cigarettes Ordinance, 2019, was recently examined by a Group of Ministers (GoM) following directions from the Prime Minister’s Office. In the draft ordinance, the Health Ministry had proposed a jail term of up to one year along with a penalty of Rs. 1 lakh against first time violators. This can go up to imprisonment of three years or a fine up to Rs. 5 lakhs for subsequent violations.The ordinance will need to be approved by parliament when it returns for the next session due in November.