Paving the way for a complete ban on e-cigarettes, the Rajya Sabha on Monday, 2 December, passed the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Bill, 2019, by voice vote.

This is after the Lok Sabha passed it on 27th November, following the centre's decision in September to ban production, manufacturing, import and export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertising of e-cigarettes.There has been a long history of proving and disproving benefits of vaping since its introduction in early 2000.In August 2018, the Ministry of Health issued an advisory against Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) – calling nicotine a tumour promoter with multiple adverse health effects – which led to its ban in 16 states in India. In March, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) directed all drug controllers in states and union territories to not allow the manufacture, sale, import and advertisement of ENDS in their jurisdictions.

Earlier this year, on 31 May, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had released a white paper calling for the total banning of ENDS in India. And to counter that, 62 global specialists and members of the Trade Representatives of ENDS (TRENDS) in India had questioned and countered ICMR’s position.