Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government has banned e-cigarettes because they have very harmful effects on human health, especially on the youth. In his Mann Ki Baat broadcast, PM Narendra Modi said many youth today have the misconception that e-cigarettes are harmless.

"We all know that tobacco addiction is very harmful for human health and coming out of this addiction is also very difficult. People who consume tobacco in any form suffer problems like cancer, diabetes, blood pressure, among others. The addiction for tobacco is primarily due to the presence of nicotine in it. For youth, nicotine is very harmful and can have drastic impact on mental growth," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his Mann ki Baat broadcast.

Urging the youth to shun use of e-cigarettes, PM Modi said they are becoming popular because of a lack of awareness among people about e-cigarette.

"They are completely unaware of its danger and for this reason sometimes e-cigarettes sneak into the house out of sheer curiosity. Kids at times pretending to be showing some magical trick, blow smoke in the presence of Peer Company or their parents, without lighting #cigarette or striking a match to light it! And as if a magic show is going on, the family members respond with applause!"

PM Modi said there is no awareness about e-cigarettes. "There is no knowledge that once the teenagers or our youth get caught in its clutches, then, slowly, they become hooked and fall prey to this noxious addiction. I urge all of you to quit the addiction to tobacco and do not harbour any misconceptions about e-cigarettes. Come, let us all build a healthy India."

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Earlier this month, the central government announced a ban on all forms of e-cigarettes in India. Under the new law, sale, purchase, import, manufacture, storage and distribution of e-cigarettes is banned. The law awards a maximum punishment of a three-year jail term and Rs 5 lakh fine for any violation.

Announcing the ban, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said, "E-cigarettes were promoted as a way to get people out of their smoking habits but reports have shown that many people are not using it as [a] weaning mechanism but are rather addicted to it."

Mann ki Baat: Felicitate daughters on Diwali

In his Mann ki Baat broadcast, PM Modi also urged people to organise special programmes where daughters will be felicitated during Diwali for the contribution they are making for nation building. PM Modi said this during his Mann ki Baat radio broadcast.

PM Narendra Modi said besides felicitating daughters, people should also publish their achievements on social media and use the hashtag #BharatKiLakshmi.

Stop using single-use plastic

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also raised concerns about environmental pollution and urged people to refrain from using single-use plastic from October 2, when India celebrates Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

"It is a matter of pride not only for India but for the entire world today, while we are celebrating 'Gandhi150', our 130 crore countrymen have pledged to be rid from the menace of single-use plastic. In view of the kind of lead that India has taken towards environmental protection, today entire world is looking towards India as a model example. I am confident that you will all be a part of campaign for liberation from menace of single-use plastic on October 2," PM Modi said in his monthly Mann ki Baat radio broadcast.

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WATCH | PM Modi 's full Mann ki Baat speech on e-cigarettes, singe-use plastic, and more