An ordinance about the ban of E-cigarettes was released by the government of India after the government banned any use of the product. According to the official document, the government of India prohibits the “production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisements of electronic cigarettes in the interest of public health and protect people from harm and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.”

What does the ordinance say?

The document explains that India is a signatory to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control that was adopted in Geneva in 2003. It also speaks about the decision of the Convention to urge parties to consider prohibiting or regulating e-cigarettes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery.

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It further says that because the devices are injurious to health and have a negative impact on public health, it is “expedient” to prohibit its use. The ordinance also said that even though the parliament is not in session, the President finds it satisfactory to take the action, considering the given circumstances. 

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It says that it shall be called the “Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Ordinance, 2019 and shall come to force at once. It also goes on to explain various uses of the product that are now banned by the government.

According to the ordinance, E-cigarettes, now, cannot be advertised through any audio or visual medium. It cannot be distributed by way of samples, whether free or otherwise by any person-individually, or a group of individuals, a firm, a Hindu Undivided Family, a trust, a limited liability partnership or any co-operative society. Furthermore, it’s export and import is now prohibited, meaning that it cannot be taken out or brought into the country anymore.

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The ordinance also mentions the proper way of disposing of any remaining stock of E-cigarettes by preparing a list and handing it over to the nearest authorised officer, who then will be responsible for its disposal by the way of law. It also gives the authorised officer, the power to make a search at any place if and when the officer thinks that the ordinance is being compromised.

E-Cigarettes deemed as harmful for the health

The government of India had, on Wednesday, banned electronic cigarettes due to growing fears over the health risks that vaping caused in the long run, sending shares of conventional cigarette makers soaring.

The Union cabinet, yesterday, while prohibiting the manufacture, import, sale, distribution and advertisements of e-cigarettes, declared its use a cognizable offence. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Finance Minister said that the products are harmful to health.

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