A survey found that vendors continue to sell e-cigarettes despite the ban.
Story so far: In 2019, the Union government banned the sale, storage, and manufacture of e-cigarettes under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019. A recent survey conducted by the Voluntary Health Association of India reveals that they continue to be sold in tobacco shops in India.
- Enforcement drives in Bengaluru unearthed ₹8.9 lakh worth of e-cigarettes and illegal foreign cigarettes, which were seized.
- Most sellers didn’t know about the ban. The problem is that they are available online and sold without age verification.
Recommendations: Dr Ashok Patil, a National Law School of India University faculty, suggests that the centre should coordinate with state agencies to enforce the ban. A renowned oncologist believes people should practice vigilance and report cases of e-cigarette sales.