The Cabinet may have considered today an ordinance seeking to ban production, import, distribution and sale of electronic cigarettes, and a jail term for violators, sources told PTI on Tuesday.
The Prohibition of E-cigarettes Ordinance, 2019, was recently examined by a Group of Ministers following directions from the Prime Minister's Office.
The GoM had suggested minor changes and these have been incorporated.
In the draft ordinance, the Health Ministry has proposed a maximum imprisonment of up to one year along with a penalty of Rs 1 lakh against first time violators.
The ministry has recommended a maximum of up to three years of jail and a penalty of Rs 5 lakh for repeat offenders, the sources said.
Banning alternative smoking devices like e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn smoking devices, vape and e-nicotine flavoured hookahs was among the key priorities of the first 100 days agenda of the Modi government in its second term.
If the government brings an ordinance, it will have to replace it with a bill in the next session of Parliament. Once the Parliament approves the bill, the proposed ban on such products will get a legal backing.
