Portal launched to report violation of ban on e-cigarettes

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The Health Ministry has launched an online portal to facilitate reporting of violations under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act
According to experts, despite the ban imposed by the Union government in 2019, e-cigarettes continue to be sold on e-commerce sites, even to children below 18

The Act seeks to prohibit the production, trade, storage, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes.
Any person who contravenes this provision will be punishable with imprisonment of up to one year, or a fine of up to one lakh rupees, or both.
For any subsequent offence, the person will be punishable with an imprisonment of up to three years, along with a fine of up to five lakh rupees.
Under the Bill, no person is allowed to use any place for the storage of any stock of e-cigarettes.

The Bill defines electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as electronic devices that heat a substance, which may contain nicotine and other chemicals, to create vapour for inhalation.
These e-cigarettes can also contain different flavours and include all forms of electronic nicotine delivery systems, heat-not-burn products, e-hookahs, and other similar devices.

If an authorised officer believes that any provision of the Bill has been contravened
- He can search any place where trade, production, storage or advertising of e-cigarettes is being undertaken.
- He can seize any record or property connected to e-cigarettes found during the search.
- Further, he may take the person connected with the offence into custody.
- If the property or records found during the search cannot be seized, he can make an order to attach such property, stocks or records.