Sensitization of the youth representatives on tobacco control
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued public notice for stricter implementation of The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes
With E-cigarettes easily available online and at tobacco shops despite a ban, the Union Health Ministry issued a public notice for stricter implementation of the Act which prohibits manufacture, sale and advertisements of electronic cigarettes. The ministry notified that the “Offense of production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale (including online sale), distribution, storage and advertisement of electronic cigarettes is cognizable and punishable as per the statutory provisions of the Act.”
The public notice issued by the Health Ministry, raising awareness on the banned product, as well as elucidating the details of PECA 2019 provisions, emboldens the Government’s strong resolve to prevent this hazardous product from being marketed in India. The Union government, considering the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes and the alarming rise in its prevalence among youth enacted The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act in 2019.
Despite heavy penalties and imprisonment, e-cigarettes are widely available across a range of sources, including tobacco vendors, general stores, and online providers.
To curb this, the Health Ministry has launched an online portal to facilitate reporting of violations under the Act. The portal, www.violation-reporting.in, will allow faster action against any reported violations.
