New Delhi: In a major announcement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that the cabinet has approved the decision to ban e-cigarettes.
“The Union Cabinet has given the approval to ban e-cigarettes. It means the production, manufacturing, import/export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertising related to e-cigarettes are banned,” Sitharaman said.
E-cigarettes are a substitute for conventional cigarettes which are battery-operated devices that produce an aerosol by heating a solution containing nicotine.
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The offenders will face imprisonment of up to one year for first-time offenders, while repeat offenders can get up to three years.
Meanwhile, the e-hookah too stands banned, said Sitharaman.
Sitharaman said that the government will bring in an Ordinance and the matter will be taken to the Winter Session of Parliament.