India proposes ban on e-cigarettes and three-year jail term for repeat offenders
India has initiated new legislation banning the production, manufacturing, import, export, sale, distribution and advertisement of e-cigarettes in India, local sources reported.
"E-cigarettes and similar technologies that encourage tobacco use or adversely impact public health are hazardous for an active as well as passive user," the health ministry said in an internal note, which the federal cabinet is expected to consider.
Two months ago, India’s health officials said e-cigarettes would be classified as a 'drug' in India under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and subsequently should be outlawed
Preeti Sudan, Secretary Health and Family Welfare, said the punishment proposed for using e-cigarettes was imprisonment up to 1 year or a fine, or both for the first offence and imprisonment of three years or a fine or both, for subsequent offence.