India Faces Protests After Seizing Tourists’ Vaping Devices
India’s 2019 vaping ban has sparked protests after tourists’ devices were seized. The law proposed up to one year in jail and a fine for first offenses, with harsher penalties for repeat violations.
Last summer, the Federal Ministry of Health formulated the 2019 Electronic Cigarette Prohibition Regulations, which have been submitted for cabinet review. This measure proposes a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 rupees (approximately $1,400) for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders will face up to three years in prison and a fine of 500,000 rupees (approximately $7,000).<\/span><\/div>
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In January, a bill was passed to replace this decree. The reviewed version prohibits the production, trade, transportation, storage, and advertising of electronic cigarettes across India, but does not include personal consumption. Nevertheless, travelers to India are still having their vaping devices confiscated at the airport.<\/span>
NNA has noted that many travelers are affected by this unauthorized action and pointed out that the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has apparently misunderstood the country's laws. To this end, the organization has requested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs maintain contact with the relevant Indian authorities to clarify the situation and update travel advice accordingly.<\/span><\/div>
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“Electronic cigarettes have proven to be a safer alternative to smoking, with 1.9 million former smokers in the UK having transitioned to vaping. It is madness to confiscate products that have a successful track record of moving smokers away from combustible tobacco. Their only option in India is combustible cigarettes, with the Indian government owning 28% of one of the country's largest tobacco companies,” said NNA Chairman Martin Cullip.<\/span><\/div>
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“UK health organizations, including the NHS, rightly support reducing tobacco harm. Public Health England also supports vaping, and the Royal College of Physicians urges the widespread promotion of electronic cigarettes to ensure and encourage smokers to use them, as does the government's own tobacco control program. The Government's Science and Technology Committee recommended the widespread use of electronic cigarettes as an alternative to smoking starting in August 2018.<\/span><\/div>
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“India welcomes 850,000 tourists from the UK each year, and current statistics indicate that about 6% of these tourists will be vaping. Approximately 50,000 people could be affected simply because they followed the public health authorities' advice to switch to vaping.”<\/span><\/div>
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Cullip said: “It is not for the UK to decide how India chooses to handle electronic cigarettes, but it is important for UK travelers to be aware of the reception they may receive when flying to India. We have written to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, stating that it is urgent for UK citizens to be aware of this situation so they can make informed decisions about whether to travel to India. Our letter requests that the FCO clarify the law with the Indian government and provide advice to travelers accordingly.”<\/span><\/div>
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