E-cigarettes in India

India: The Health Ministry has called for stricter enforcement of the statutory e-cigarette ban, which covers manufacturing, import, export, distribution and advertising of e-cigs, including parts and accessories, press reports.

India: A former Parliament member has published an academic paper concluding that the national ban on e-cigarettes ordered by the government in 2019 has been unsuccessful. Rajeev Gowda said the country should lift the ban and introduce strict regulation instead to counter the health risks associated with unregulated black-market vapour products.

India: Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said yesterday that the central government is working on amending several laws regulating tobacco, namely the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, the Food Safety and Standards Act, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, to cover new products, press reports.

India: The national Ministry of Health has written to all state health ministries asking them to ensure compliance with the statutory e-cigarette ban, press reports. The letter expresses concern over the availability of e-cigarettes online and in convenience stores near schools, giving young people easy access to vaping products.

India: The Delhi High Court has directed the central government to ensure compliance with the 2019 act banning the manufacture, import, export, transportation, sale, distribution, storage and advertising of e-cigarettes, press reports. The court also asked the Delhi police to take steps to ensure e-cigarettes are not sold near schools or colleges.