Vaping products aren’t only being banned in the U.S. India has announced that it is banning the sale, production and import of electronic cigarettes because of the risk they pose to young people.
At this point, it’s unclear if the order means that the use of vaping equipment will be prohibited, but the ban does include jail terms of up to three years for those selling, importing and making vaping gear.
The announcement was made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. India is second only to China as the largest consumer of tobacco products. More than 900,000 people a year there die from illnesses related to tobacco use. (BBC)
Hot Takes:
- Sitharaman said that evidence in the U.S. and India suggest that some young people vape as a “style statement.”
- Vaping was introduced as a “safe” alternative to smoking and could help people quit, but it’s impact on health isn’t fully known.
- Seven people have died in the U.S. due to complications from vaping.