KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 – India’s cabinet has approved a decision to ban e-cigarettes, amid an increasingly alarming rate of vaping habits among youth, causing breathing illnesses.
The government is expected to issue an ordinance prohibiting the manufacturing, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertising related to e-cigarettes.
“Its use has increased exponentially and has acquired epidemic proportions in developed countries, especially among youth and children,” a government statement said, according to Huffington Post.
The first offence will be punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 100,000 rupees (US$1,390) or both. For a subsequent offence, the punishment will be imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to 500,000 (US$6,945) rupees.
India joins nations like Singapore, Brazil and Thailand in prohibiting e-cigarettes amid increasing global health concerns.
A total of seven people have died in the United States due to lung complications believed to be caused by e-cigarettes and vaping products.
