Bill to replace e-cigarette ordinance introduced in Lok Sabha

New Delhi: A bill to ban the production, import and sale of e-cigarettes and similar products was introduced in Lok Sabha on Friday by health minister Harsh Vardhan.

The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Bill, 2019 seeks to replace an ordinance issued recently.

The Centre had cited the health risk to the people, especially the youth, and issued an ordinance to ban such products. It seeks a jail term of up to three years as well as a fine for those violating the law.

In September this year, the Union Cabinet had decided to ban Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), popularly referred to as electronic cigarettes — or e-cigarettes — in India.

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, had announced after the decision was taken by the Union Cabinet at that time, that the ban would extend to the production/ manufacturing, imports, export, transfer, sale, distribution, stocking and advertising of e-cigarettes.  “Latest statistics” showed a 77.8 per cent growth in the number of ENDS users in the United States, Ms Sitharaman had said.

While the devices were initially marketed as a way to drop the habit of smoking, reports suggest that many don’t use them that way anymore, the minister added.