Goooglenews

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a ban on e-cigarettes,citing the need to take early action to protect public health.

Sale of e-cigarettes will be punishable with jail term of one year.

The ordinance likely soon says any production,manufacturing,import, export, transport,sale (including online sale), distribution or advertisement (including online advertisement) of e-cigarettes shall be a cognisable offence punishable with imprisonment of up to one year,or fine up to ₹1 lakh, or both for the first offence.

It may lead to imprisonment of up to three years and fine up to ₹5 lakh for a subsequent offence.

Storage of electronic-cigarettes shall also be punishable with imprisonment of up to 6 months or a fine of up to ₹50,000 or both.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that these products have become a major risk for children health. The owners of existing stocks of e-cigarettes on the date of commencement of the ordinance will have to suo motu declare and deposit these with the nearest police station.