India has banned e-cigarettes because they endanger the health of youths in the country, the Federal Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, said on Wednesday.The ban includes the manufacture and production of similar products.
Currently, e-cigarettes are not manufactured in India and are imported or assembled in the country.
First-time offenders could face a year’s imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 rupees ($1,404), Federal Health Secretary, Preeti Sudan, said.
A second offense would fetch three years’ imprisonment or a fine of 500,000 rupees.
“So far, there are no studies in India on the health impact of the use of e-cigarettes but studies in the U.S. indicate that young people were at grave risk,’’ Mr Sudan said.
The Indian Council of Medical Research and similar organizations had recommended a ban.
E-cigarettes were becoming a style statement for the youth, Mr Sitharaman said.
Various farmers’ associations in India have also been demanding a ban on e-cigarettes, saying they were negatively impacting tobacco farmers.
The government’s ordinance has to be approved by parliament within six months.
Source: Premiumtimes
