(New Delhi)Export of E Cigarettes +Hookah Banned
The commerce ministry issued notification to comply with the government’s ordinance issued on September 18 to ban production, import, distribution and sale of electronic cigarettes.
However, it said the ban does not conclude any product licensed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
First time violators will face a jail term of up to one year and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. For subsequent offences, a jail term of up to three years or a fine of Rs 5 lakh, or both, according to the ordinance.
The storage of e-cigarettes shall now be punishable with imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to Rs 50,000 or both.
Recently, the DGFT, which is under the commerce ministry, had banned import of e-cigarettes.