<p>Possession of e-cigarettes and similar devices in any form, quantity or manner is in violation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarette Act (PECA) 2019, the Union Health Ministry said in a clarification.</p>.<p>The clarification was sent to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MCA) last month, official sources said, adding it will strengthen the enforcement of the ban.</p>.<p>The ministry said that though there is no explicit mention of prohibition of individual use of e-cigarette in PECA, the law has been enacted to prohibit the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of e- cigarettes.</p>.India to find 'pragmatic solutions' on tobacco rules for streaming firms.<p>'Therefore, possession of e-cigarette within the country in any quantity is not possible without contravening the provisions of PECA, 2019,” said Dr Pulkesh Kumar, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Health.</p>.<p>The ban includes a prohibition on all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Heat Not Burn Products, e-Hookah and similar devices.</p>.<p>The law was enacted in the interest of public health and to protect the people from harm, the health ministry said.</p>.<p>Despite heavy penalties and imprisonment, e-cigarettes are reported to be widely available across a range of sources including tobacco vendors, general stores, and online providers.</p>.<p>The health ministry has also launched an online portal to facilitate reporting of violations under PECA. This portal will allow the ministry to take necessary action on violations.</p>.<p>Anyone can report these violations at 'http://www.violation-reporting.in'.</p>.<p>The government has also expressed concern regarding the alarming rise in its use amongst youth.</p>.<p>In May, the ministry issued a public notice for effective implementation of the Act. Later in July, the ministry sent notices to 15 websites selling e-cigarettes, asking them to stop advertisement and sale of such products.</p>.<p>The ministry, earlier in February, had written to all states and UTs to ensure effective compliance of the government's ban on e-cigarettes.</p>.<p>In a letter addressed to chief secretaries of all states and Union territories, it had flagged the sale of e-cigarettes at stationary stores near educational institutions.</p>
<p>Possession of e-cigarettes and similar devices in any form, quantity or manner is in violation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarette Act (PECA) 2019, the Union Health Ministry said in a clarification.</p>.<p>The clarification was sent to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MCA) last month, official sources said, adding it will strengthen the enforcement of the ban.</p>.<p>The ministry said that though there is no explicit mention of prohibition of individual use of e-cigarette in PECA, the law has been enacted to prohibit the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of e- cigarettes.</p>.India to find 'pragmatic solutions' on tobacco rules for streaming firms.<p>'Therefore, possession of e-cigarette within the country in any quantity is not possible without contravening the provisions of PECA, 2019,” said Dr Pulkesh Kumar, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Health.</p>.<p>The ban includes a prohibition on all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Heat Not Burn Products, e-Hookah and similar devices.</p>.<p>The law was enacted in the interest of public health and to protect the people from harm, the health ministry said.</p>.<p>Despite heavy penalties and imprisonment, e-cigarettes are reported to be widely available across a range of sources including tobacco vendors, general stores, and online providers.</p>.<p>The health ministry has also launched an online portal to facilitate reporting of violations under PECA. This portal will allow the ministry to take necessary action on violations.</p>.<p>Anyone can report these violations at 'http://www.violation-reporting.in'.</p>.<p>The government has also expressed concern regarding the alarming rise in its use amongst youth.</p>.<p>In May, the ministry issued a public notice for effective implementation of the Act. Later in July, the ministry sent notices to 15 websites selling e-cigarettes, asking them to stop advertisement and sale of such products.</p>.<p>The ministry, earlier in February, had written to all states and UTs to ensure effective compliance of the government's ban on e-cigarettes.</p>.<p>In a letter addressed to chief secretaries of all states and Union territories, it had flagged the sale of e-cigarettes at stationary stores near educational institutions.</p>