Following the decision, manufacturing, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertising related to e-cigarettes are now banned.
Nirmala Sitharaman said the key reason behind the move was the alarming rate at which vaping is becoming popular among the younger population.
“E-cigarettes were promoted as a way to get people out of their smoking habits but reports have shown that many people are not using it as weaning mechanism but are addicted to it,” said Sitharaman.
“Reports say that there are some who are probably getting into the habit of e-cigarettes as it seems cool. It is believed that there are more than 400 brands, none of which is manufactured in India. And they come in over 150 flavours,” she added.
According to draft ordinance, the storage of e-cigarettes will now be punishable by Rs 50,000, imprisonment up to six months or both.
