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Ban on E- Cigarettes
Why in news?
- Union Cabinet approved a ban on e-cigarettes.
More in news
- Upon promulgation of the ordinance, any production, manufacturing, import, export, transport, sale (including online sale), distribution or advertisement (including online advertisement) of e-cigarettes shall be a cognisable offence.
- What are E-cigarettes–These are battery-operated devices that produce aerosol by heating a solution containing nicotine, which is the addictive substance in combustible cigarettes.
- Punishment prescribed are
(1) Up to oneyear imprisonment, or fine up to ₹1 lakh, or both for the first offence.
(2) Imprisonment of up to three years and fine up to ₹5 lakh for a subsequent offence.
(3) Storage of electronic-cigarettes shall also be punishable with imprisonment of up to 6 months or a fine of up to Rs. 50,000 or both.
- The sub-inspector has been designated as the authorised officer to take action under the ordinance.
- Why the Govt has banned it
(1) Electronic cigarettes and other vaping products have become a major problem and increase the risk of children adopting them.
(2) As per data the misuse of e-cigarettes is very high among students.
(3) Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) too had cautioned against the use of e-cigarettes citing studies which noted that use of e-cigarettes could have adverse effects on humans, which include
-DNA damage,
-carcinogenic,
-cellular, molecular and immunological toxicity,
-respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological disorders,
-adverse impact on foetal development and pregnancy.
- Opposition to the ban - The Association of Vapers India (AVI), an organisation that represents e-cigarette users across the country, slammed the government’s move, terming it ‘a black day’
Source
The Hindu