Health Ministry asks State Govts to keep vigil on e-cigs at colleges

Days after ban on e-cigarettes came into effect, Union Health Ministry has asked Departments of Higher Education, School Education and Literacy to be vigilant about availability and use of such products in educational institutions. Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan has also written to chief secretaries of all states and UTs asking m to take steps for implementing provisions of ordinance. Considering that sub-inspectors of police are authorised officers to take appropriate action for implementation of various provisions of ordinance, Sudan, in a recently held video conference, asked DGPs and DIGs to undertake a special drive for enforcement of provisions of ordinance, sources said.

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Strict measures to prevent us of e-cigarettes 

y have been told that if need be, school authorities can check bags of students to ensure y don't carry vaping items, sources said. Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, stor and vertisement) Ordinance, 2019, issued on September 18, bans e-cigarettes, making manufacturing, production, import, export, transport, sale, stor or vertisements of such alternative smoking devices a cognizable offence, attracting jail term and fine. first-time violators will face a jail term of up to one year and a fine of Rs. 1 lakh. For subsequent offences, a jail term of up to three years or a fine of Rs. 5 lakh, or both, according to ordinance. stor of e-cigarettes shall w be punishable with imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to Rs. 50,000 or both. Union Health Secretary has asked Departments of School Education and Literacy and Secretary, Department of Higher Education to issue instructions to all concerned to be vigilant about availability and use of electronic cigarettes in premises of education institutions.

"Considering fact that children and olescents are most vulnerable to se fancy looking products, it would be appropriate that children, olescents and young ults are me aware of harmful effects of e-cigarettes and like devices. "E-cigarettes contain flavours and ir use does t generate any foul smell associated with conventional smoking. se have sleek design and fancy appearance. se products are marketed to attract consumers, specially youth by creating a false tion of safety," Sudan said in one of letters.

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She furr ded that nicotine being highly dictive, use of e-cigarettes may also be a gateway for youth to take up conventional smoking. In ar letter to Chief Secretaries of all States, Sudan explained that e-cigarettes include all forms of electronic nicotine delivery systems, heat t burn products, e-hookah, and like devices, by whatever name called and whatever shape, size or form it may have. She, however, ded that ban does t conclude any product licensed under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

"Production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, stor and vertisement of electronic cigarettes or any parts or components reof such as refill pods, atomisers, cartridges etc is prohibited. Online sale and vertisement have also been prohibited. "Individual possession of e-cigarettes for personal use is t an offence," Sudan said in letter and also elaborated on punishments and penalties.

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Owners asked to deposit remaining stock

She furr stated that an opportunity has been provided to owners of existing stocks of e-cigarettes on date of commencement of ordinance to suo moto declare and deposit stocks at nearest police station without delay. "It is requested that necessary instructions may be issued immediately to departments concerned of your state/UT to take necessary measures to implement provisions of Ordinance. "It is also requested that a month-long drive may also be undertaken to ensure implementation of provisions of ordinance," she said.

Commerce Ministry has banned exports of electronic cigarettes, e-hookah, and or similar devices. "Export of electronic cigarettes including all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Heat t Burn Products, e-Hookah and like devices by whatever name called and whatever shape, size or form it may have...is prohibited," Directorate General of Foreign Tre (DGFT) said in a tification. However, it said that ban does t conclude any product licensed under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

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