Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced the government's decision to ban e-cigarettes and e-hookah in the country. According to the ban, production, manufacture, export, sale, advertisement, storage and distribution of e-cigarettes and e-hookah will not be allowed. As the news spread, Twitterati hailed the government's step in banning a health hazard which is largely popular among the youths. Following Sitharaman's conference, people tweeted praising the Cabinet's approval. E-Cigarettes Banned in India: FM Nirmala Sitharaman Announces Blanket Ban on Sale of Vaping.

The ban on e-cigarettes is expected to have a budgetary impact of Rs 2,028 crore. Sitharaman in a press conference said, "The Union Cabinet has given the approval to ban e-cigarettes. It means the production, manufacturing, import/export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertising related to e-cigarettes are banned." Banning smoking devices like e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn smoking devices, vape and e-nicotine flavoured hookahs was among the key priorities of the first 100 days agenda of the Narendra Modi government in its second term. Is Your Child Vaping? Here's How Parents Can Help Stop Them.

Check Out The Twitter Reactions Below:

India Bans E-Cigarettes!

HAHAHA

The development comes after Prohibition of E-cigarettes Ordinance, 2019 which was recently examined by a Group of Ministers (GoM) following directions of the Prime Minister's Office. According to the  Health Ministry has proposed maximum imprisonment of up to one year along with a penalty of Rs 1 lakh against first-time violators.

Sitharaman said that the government will bring in an Ordinance and the matter will be taken to the Winter Session of Parliament. The Prohibition of e-cigarettes Ordinance, 2019, was recently examined by a Group of Ministers (GoM) following directions from the Prime Minister’s Office. While most supported the ban, many said that e-cigarettes less harmful than smoking tobacco. However, the government is of the view that it poses health risks just like conventional smoking.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2019 04:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).