Exports of e-cigarette banned


PTI | New Delhi | Updated: 30-09-2019 14:08 IST | Created: 30-09-2019 14:05 IST
Exports of e-cigarette banned
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The commerce ministry on Monday said it has banned exports of electronic cigarettes, e-Hookah, and other similar devices. The notification was issued to comply with the government's ordinance issued on September 18 to ban the production, import, distribution, and sale of electronic cigarettes.

"Export of electronic cigarettes including all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Heat Not Burn Products, e-Hookah and the like devices by whatever name called and whatever shape, size or form it may have...is prohibited," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. However, it said the ban does not conclude any product licensed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

The ordinance issued on September 18 bans e-cigarettes, making the production, import, export, transport, sell or advertisements of such alternative smoking devices a cognizable offence, attracting jail term and fine. First-time violators will face a jail term of up to one year and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. For subsequent offenses, 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 the import of e-cigarettes.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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