The ban is on the nicotine inhalers, also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)
Regulatory measures to prevent the use of e-cigarettes are necessarily stated by the Health Ministry
Electronic Cigarette is a product which falls under the definition of “drug”
- The proposal to ban the battery-operated products is part of the “first 100 days’ agenda” of the Narendra Modi government.
- These devices do not burn tobacco leaves, but use a heating element to turn a liquid nicotine solution into vapours, which the user inhales.
- E-cigarettes are unlicensed products and have made their way into India illegally.
- They are imported unlicensed products and are found to be widely sold online.
- According to government data, more than 460 e-cigarette brands are available in India, with various configurations of nicotine delivery and in over 7,700 flavors.
- Haryana has also notified that nicotine in its pure chemical form is poison under the Poisons Act.
- Karnataka, Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have also issued orders banning the manufacture, distribution and sale of e-cigarettes as an unapproved drug under DCA.
Electronic Cigarette is a product which falls under the definition of “drug” in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Hence the government is taking measures to ban them.
