India is considering introducing a ban on e-cigarettes saying it fears an "epidemic", potentially jeapordising plans laid by vaping companies to access the lucrative market. India's health ministry proposed the ban on the production and import of electronic cigarettes, in documents seen by the Reuters news agency.

The proposals have stoked fears in India that people caught vaping could be hit with punitive fines or even jail time.

The bans and fines are likely to apply mainly to the production, sale, import and advertisement of e-cigarettes but it is uncertain whether individual vapers will be affected.

The ministry has proposed that the government issue an executive order banning the import and production of the devices in the public interest, saying it was needed to ensure e-cigarettes don't become an "epidemic" among children and young adults.

"E-cigarettes and similar technologies that encourage tobacco use or adversely impact public health are hazardous for an active as well as passive user," the health ministry said in an internal note, which the federal cabinet is expected to consider.

Two months ago, India’s health officials said e-cigarettes would be classified as a 'drug' in India under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and subsequently should be outlawed.