Government has banned e-cigarettes in India, announces Nirmala Sitharaman

The process of heating a liquid to turn into steam is called vaping. E-cigarettes also work on the same idea and have nicotine to "help" traditional smokers quit.

Pegged as an alternative to smoking, e-cigarettes aren't as beneficial as projected.

Recent studies showed vaping leads to shortness of breath, fever, fatigue, and lung irritation.

In the US, six people died due to vaping.

Reportedly, enabling a blanket ban on e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn smoking devices, vape, and e-nicotine flavored hookahs, was one of the top priorities of PM Modi's second term. The Centre was supposed to take this up in the first 100 days.

Recently, a Group of Minister (GoM) examined the Prohibition of E-cigarettes Ordinance, 2019.

The matter will be taken up during the Parliament's winter session.

Sitharaman said e-cigarettes are being seen as "style statement" and government wanted to end the problem in its bud.

"Reports say there are some who are probably getting into the habit of e-cigarettes as it seems cool. It is believed that there are more than 400 brands, none of which is manufactured yet in India. And they come in over 150 flavors," she said.

According to the draft ordinance, storing e-cigarettes will invite a fine of Rs. 50,000, a jail term of up to six months or both.

Further, in the draft ordinance, the Health Ministry had suggested that first-time violators should face maximum imprisonment of one year, or be fined Rs. 1 lakh.

Repeat offenders can be fined up to Rs. 5 lakh, the ordinance added.