India became the latest country to join the global movement against vaping after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman<\/strong><\/em> announced the ban<\/a>\u00a0of electronic cigarettes on Wednesday, Sept 18.<\/p>\n

The Union Cabinet approved the Promulgation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes- production, sale, import, and advertising of e-cigarettes. This will include fine and jail terms for offenders.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, e-cigarettes got promoted initially as a way in which people can get out of the habit of smoking cigarettes. It was to be a weaning process from using cigarettes,\u201d said Minister Sitharaman added. \u201cThe Cabinet rightly thought it is time and we immediately took a decision so that the health of our citizens, of our young, is not thrown to a risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under the new order, first offenders are to face up to one year in prison and pay a fine of 100, 000 rupee ($1, 406). Meanwhile, those who will be caught with later violations could serve up to three years in prison and pay a fine of 500, 000 rupees.<\/p>\n

Although the prohibition covers the sales of e-cigs, it doesn\u2019t ban the use of vaping devices. However, this means users can still use their vapes but cannot legally buy refills anymore.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese novel products come with attractive appearances and multiple flavors and their use has increased exponentially and has acquired epidemic proportions in developed countries, especially among youth and children,\u201d the government said in a press release.<\/p>\n

E-Cig in the US<\/h3>\n

There are about 530 cases of vaping-related illnesses<\/a> have already been identified across 38 states and one US territory as of September 17. To date, a total of 8 deaths linked to vaping-related illnesses have already been recorded by the federal health officials.<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Trump administration announced it plans to ban the sale of most flavored nicotine vape products in the U.S. market.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe vaping has become a very big business, as I understand it, like a giant business in a very short period of time. But we can\u2019t allow people to get sick and we can\u2019t have our youth be so affected,\u201d said President Trump.<\/p>\n

In September this year, Michigan became the first US state to ban flavored e-cigarettes. It was soon followed by New York, Singapore, and Japan.<\/p>\n

Shane MacGuill, head of tobacco research at Euromonitor in London, believed that India\u2019s recent entrance into the banning side could affect the global vapor industry as it could encourage other countries to follow the same step as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndia is obviously a market of huge potential for vapor products. This ban would decisively cut off access to that potential growth cohort for companies like Juul Labs and PMI (Philip Morris International),\u201d he told Reuters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

India became the latest country to join the global movement against vaping after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the ban\u00a0of electronic cigarettes on Wednesday, Sept 18. The Union Cabinet approved the Promulgation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes- production, sale, import, and advertising of e-cigarettes. This will include fine and jail terms for offenders. \u201cUnfortunately, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3093,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[65],"tags":[159,182,134,183,158],"yoast_head":"\n