As the Trump administration works to ban flavored e-cigarettes, the second most populous country in the world has moved to outlaw vaping altogether.
The ban was approved by India’s Cabinet on Wednesday and the government is expected to issue an ordinance banning the manufacturing, transport, import, export, sale, distribution, and advertising of e-cigarettes, according to the Associated Press.
The move was spurred by fears that that vaping is causing breathing issues and appeals largely to the youth.
Indian Health Minister Harsh Vardhan praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “his bold decision to ban e-cigarettes in the country.” He also said in a tweet that violators of the prohibition could face up to six months in prison, a fine of $700, or both.
Following Govt ban, storage of e-cigarettes & the like devices shall be punishable with an imprisonment of upto 6 months or fine upto Rs 50,000 or both
This will protect people from these gateway products & also cut tobacco consumption#SwasthBharat @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/0YcGafuKMo— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) September 18, 2019
After Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced the ban on flavored e-cigarettes, there was pushback from both vape shops and vape-users who suggested the ban would hurt business, hurt those who vape instead of smoke cigarettes, and would not target the actual culprit of most of the lung-related illnesses; black-market THC cartridges.
