President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent for promulgation of the ordinance to ban e-cigarettes. The ordinance was approved by the Union Cabinet yesterday, which bans production, import, distribution and sale of electronic cigarettes.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who headed a Group of Ministers (GoM) on the issue, said the Cabinet decided to ban e-cigarettes and similar products as they pose health risk to people, especially the youth. She said a bill replacing the ordinance will be brought in the next session of Parliament.

AIR correspondent reports that production, import, export, transport, sale or advertisements of e-cigarettes will now be a cognizable offence. First time violators will face a jail term of up to one year and a fine of one lakh rupees. For subsequent offences, there will be a jail term of up to three years or a fine of five lakh rupees or both.

The storage of e-cigarettes shall now be punishable with imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to 50 thousand rupees or both.