NEW DELHI:India's health ministry has proposed a ban on the production and import ofelectronic cigarettes, documents seen by Reuters showed, potentiallyjeopardizing the expansion plans of big firms like Juul Labs and Philip MorrisInternational. The ministry has proposed that the government issue an executiveorder banning the devices in the public interest, saying it was needed toensure e-cigarettes don't become an "epidemic" among children andyoung adults. "E-cigarettes and similar technologies that encouragetobacco use or adversely impact public health are hazardous for an active aswell as passive user," the health ministry said in an internal note seenby Reuters that the federal cabinet is expected to consider.
Health officialsare proposing jail terms of up to three years, with a penalty of up to 500,000rupees ($7,000), for repeat offenders against the new rules, according to adraft of the executive order. First-time offenders would face a prison term ofup to one year and a fine of 100,000 rupees. Such orders are typically issuedin India as an emergency measure when parliament is not in session. It canlapse if it is not approved when lawmakers convene against in the next session,which will most likely be held around November.
It was notimmediately clear whether the draft executive order will face changes, or whenit will be approved. India's health ministry did not respond to a request forcomment from Reuters. The ministry's plans would deal a blow to US-based JuulLabs Inc, which is hoping to launch its e-cigarette in India and has hiredseveral senior executives in recent months. Philip Morris also has plans tolaunch its heat-not-burn smoking device in India, Reuters has reported.
Advocates for thedevices say e-cigarettes are far less harmful than smoking tobacco, becauseusers do not inhale the same dangerous matter. But many tobacco-controlactivists are opposed to e-cigarettes, saying they could lead to nicotineaddiction and push people to consume tobacco. "There is evidence thatthese products are a gateway to tobacco products and induce adolescents andyoung adults to nicotine use leading to addiction," the health ministrysaid in the document.
Lucrative market
India has 106million adult smokers, second only to China in the world, making it a lucrativemarket for firms such as Juul and Philip Morris. More than 900,000 people dieeach year in the country due to tobacco-related illnesses. Sixteen state governmentsin India have prohibited e-cigarettes but there is as yet no federallegislation to deal with what the health ministry termed the "hazardousproduct". Justifying its call for a ban, the health ministry argued thate-cigarettes can also be used as delivery devices for other substances such ascannabis, and could promote dual use with conventional cigarettes.
"Thesedevices are injurious to health and proliferation of these products has anegative impact on public health," the draft said. Reuters reported inMarch the health ministry had called for Juul's entry into India to be blocked,saying such products were "addictive and could potentially undermine ourtobacco control efforts". Juul, whose sleek vaping devices that resembleUSB flash drives have become a sensation in the United States, has previouslysaid it aims to improve the lives of smokers by offering a "satisfyingalternative to combustible cigarettes". - Reuters