Indians looking to get their next fix of e-cigarettes are set to experience withdrawal with the country preparing to ban the production, sale or storage of the product.

Key points: India says the ban will advance tobacco control efforts in the country

India says the ban will advance tobacco control efforts in the country More than 900,000 people die in India each year due to tobacco-related illnesses, and there are 106 million adult smokers

More than 900,000 people die in India each year due to tobacco-related illnesses, and there are 106 million adult smokers Critics say the ban will create an underground market, and that previous attempts at prohibition in India have failed

On Wednesday, India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told a media briefing that an executive order will be passed to ban the products, which the Government believes will advance tobacco control efforts in the country.

The ban also covers the import, advertising, distribution and storage of e-cigarettes — but not the use of them.

E-cigarettes are devices that deliver an aerosol by heating a solution that users breath in. The aerosol is commonly referred to as "vapour".

Vaping — as it is also known — was initially thought to be a safe way to quit smoking.

In Australia, there are fears candy-flavoured vape juices are being targeted to teenagers. ( ABC Sunshine Coast: Megan Kinninment )

However, it has recently come under criticism with US health agencies urging people to stop using the product while they investigate why e-cigarettes users are dying.

In Australia, there are fears big tobacco companies are targeting teenagers by marketing candy-flavoured e-cigarettes juices with glamourous social media imagery.

Ms Sitharaman said e-cigarettes were becoming an increasing health risk as they were being used as a "style statement", and not a tobacco cessation product.

Those caught flouting the ban could find themselves behind bars for up to three years and fined a maximum of about $10,000.

What is vaping? Vaping is inhaling the vapour created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or other vaping device

Vaping is inhaling the vapour created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or other vaping device E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that heat an e-liquid to produce a vapour, or an aerosol, that can contain nicotine, flavour and other chemicals

E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that heat an e-liquid to produce a vapour, or an aerosol, that can contain nicotine, flavour and other chemicals E-cigarette users inhale the vapour in the same way as smoking a cigarette

E-cigarette users inhale the vapour in the same way as smoking a cigarette In Australia it is illegal for retail outlets to sell nicotine e-cigarettes or liquid nicotine for vaping

In Australia it is illegal for retail outlets to sell nicotine e-cigarettes or liquid nicotine for vaping It is also illegal to buy nicotine e-cigarettes or a liquid nicotine for personal use without a medical prescription

It is also illegal to buy nicotine e-cigarettes or a liquid nicotine for personal use without a medical prescription It is easy to access nicotine for vaping from online sellers from outside Australia

The move is seen as dashing the expansion plans of companies such as Juul Labs and Philip Morris International.

Juul had plans to launch its e-cigarette in India and has hired several senior executives in recent months.

Philip Morris also has plans to launch its heat-not-burn smoking device in India.

A spokeswoman for Juul in India declined to comment. Philip Morris did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Juul, in which tobacco giant Altria group owns a 35 per cent stake, is already facing government scrutiny in its American home market and elsewhere.

In China, Juul said on Tuesday its products were not currently available on e-commerce websites, days after it entered the market.

Tobacco still a big problem in India

More than 900,000 people die each year in the country due to tobacco-related illnesses. Advocates for e-cigarettes say vaping is far less harmful than smoking tobacco.

India has 106 million adult smokers, second only to China in the world, making it a lucrative market for firms including Juul and Philip Morris.

The ban will be imposed through an executive order, which is typically issued in India as an emergency measure when parliament is not in session.

It can lapse if it is not approved when lawmakers convene against in the next session, which will most likely be held around November.

India's health ministry had proposed to ban the devices in the public interest, saying it was needed to ensure e-cigarettes didn't become an "epidemic" among children and young adults, according to the draft regulation seen by Reuters.

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Under the legislation, the e-hookah, or shisha, will also be banned.

"These novel products come with attractive appearances and multiple flavours and their use has increased exponentially and acquired epidemic proportions in developed countries, especially among youth and children," India's health ministry said.

But critics say the ban would only create an underground market, pointing to previous failed attempts at prohibition in the country.

The Association of Vapers India, an organisation that represents e-cigarette users across the country, attacked the Government's decision, saying it would deprive millions of smokers of a safer solution to cut back on smoking.

Shares in ITC, India's top cigarette maker, ended up nearly 1 per cent higher, while its rival Godfrey Phillips surged 5.2 per cent. E-cigarettes form just a tiny part of their product range.

Reuters/AP