Karnataka government has banned electronic cigarettes in the state with effect from today. "We have banned e-cigarettes today. The decision has been taken on the recommendation of the committee on cancer prevention," Minister for Health and Family .
A notification was issued on Wednesday making the sale (including online), manufacture, distribution and trade of e-cigarettes illegal, with immediate effect.
Announcing this at a press conference on Wednesday, Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader said websites that are found selling these products would be immediately banned.
“We will take action against those selling e-cigarettes under Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The law allows us to punish those who sell it for up to five years,” he said. Khader said the government had sought a report from officials on e-cigarettes, who found this method of inhaling nicotine also harmful.
The state government in its order has determined that the Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes have adverse effect on public health.