E-Cigarettes Banned As It Risks Youth’s Health Says Govt; Stock Prices Of Tobacco Surge Due To Move

E-cigarettes will be banned in India with immediate effect, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Wednesday. Sitharaman added that electronic cigarettes and other vaping products have become a major problem and increase the risk of children taking up smoking. E-cigarettes are being used as a "style statement", the minister said, and the government wants to stop the contagion before it spreads. While addressing a press conference in Delhi, Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Preeti Sudan on e-cigarettes ban and its punishment proposed said, “The punishment proposed is imprisonment up to 1 year or a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh, or both for the first offence and imprisonment of 3 years or a fine up to Rs. 5 lakhs or both, for subsequent offence. E-hookahs are also included.”