US Based Advocacy Group Calls India's Move To Ban E-Cigarettes 'Historic'

Lauding India’s move to ban e-cigarette as ‘historic’, a US based advocacy group has said that it has emerged as a leader in the global fight against a youth e-cigarette epidemic. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an ordinance to ban production, import, distribution and sale of electronic cigarettes, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. Sitharaman, who had headed a Group of Ministers (GoM) on the issue, said the Cabinet decided to ban e-cigarettes and similar products as they pose health risk to people, especially the youth. 

President of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Matthew L Myers said India’s decision is a “bold effort” to protect youth from the risk of nicotine addiction. 

“Today’s ban is historic for India and the world as India becomes a leader in the fight to prevent a youth e-cigarette epidemic,” the campaign’s official statement reads.

Moreover, the consumption of e-cigarette use has soared to epidemic levels due to the marketing tactics of various companies and availability of e-cigarettes in different flavours, Myers said. 

The Prohibition of e-cigarettes Ordinance, 2019, makes the production, manufacturing, import or export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertising related to e-cigarettes a criminal offence. While first-time violators will be face a jail term up to one year along with a penalty of Rs 1 lakh, subsequent violations can lead to imprisonment of three years or a fine up to Rs. 5 lakhs or both. 

(With PTI inputs)