Rising Trend of Illicit e-Cigarette Trade in India

Jul.29.2024
Rising Trend of Illicit e-Cigarette Trade in India
350 cases of e-cigarette violations have been reported in India since 2022, raising concerns about the thriving black market.

According to Mint news, data from the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's Tobacco Control Office shows that there have been 350 cases of e-cigarette violations since 2022. Despite India's ban on the use of e-cigarettes under the 2019 Prohibition of E-cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage, and Advertising) Act, these data reveal a potential issue: e-cigarettes are flourishing in the black market.


Specific data indicates that there were 44 cases of misconduct in the current fiscal year (from April 1, 2024, to present), compared to 263 cases in the previous fiscal year.


The electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS), also known as an e-cigarette, is a battery-operated device used to inhale a selected solution containing varying levels of nicotine, an addictive chemical found in tobacco products.


A white paper released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 2019 pointed out that e-cigarettes, especially when used by infants, have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, disrupt respiratory and immune cell functions, and damage the airways, similar to the effects of cigarette smoking.


The group Mothers Against Vaping revealed to Mint that they are concerned about their teenage children. Paralympic athlete and member of Mothers Against Vaping, Deepa Malik, expressed:


Banning e-cigarettes is the strategy that India needs. The ban should be strictly enforced to suppress any lobbying that may weaken it. We need children to engage in sports activities to make India proud, rather than succumb to new addictions and lose their future.


Currently, the government has issued a total of 14,795 fines under Section 6 of the 2003 Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act for selling cigarettes and other tobacco products to individuals under the age of 18.


According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), around 30 countries including Mauritius, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, Bahrain, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have banned Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS).


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Singapore hikes vape penalties: users face up to S$10,000; importers up to 9 years
Singapore hikes vape penalties: users face up to S$10,000; importers up to 9 years
Singapore Parliament passes law to significantly increase penalties for e-cigarette possession, use, import, and sale, effective May 1.
Mar.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
California federal judge certifies direct purchaser class in Juul–Altria antitrust litigation
California federal judge certifies direct purchaser class in Juul–Altria antitrust litigation
A California federal judge has certified a class of direct purchasers of Juul products in antitrust litigation alleging Juul and Altria conspired to have Altria exit the e-cigarette market.
Mar.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
French Anti-Tobacco Group Contre-Feu Calls for Plain Packaging Across All Vaping Products
French Anti-Tobacco Group Contre-Feu Calls for Plain Packaging Across All Vaping Products
French anti-tobacco group Contre-Feu said in a statement released on April 14 that e-cigarette manufacturers are encouraging nicotine dependence among young people through targeted marketing and called for concrete measures to protect minors. The group asked for plain packaging for all vaping products, strict regulation of flavor names, and a ban on online sales.
Apr.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Louisiana lawmaker pushes bill to ban vape product sales within 300 feet of schools
Louisiana lawmaker pushes bill to ban vape product sales within 300 feet of schools
A Louisiana lawmaker has introduced HB 302, which would prohibit businesses from selling vapor products within 300 feet of schools. The bill would measure the distance by a person walking on the sidewalk from the nearest point on school property to the nearest point of the business. It would also give the commissioner authority to modify how the distance is calculated, while maintaining the 300-foot limit.
Feb.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Shanghai releases 2025 smoke-free white paper: smoking incidence at designated smoke-free venues falls to 12.6%
Shanghai releases 2025 smoke-free white paper: smoking incidence at designated smoke-free venues falls to 12.6%
Shanghai released its 2025 White Paper on Smoking Control in Public Places at a city tobacco control meeting on March 5. The paper reports a 12.6% smoking incidence in legally designated smoke-free venues, down 0.4 percentage points from 2024, and says 98.2% of residents support a full indoor smoking ban.
Mar.05
New York Says Seized Illegal Vape Shipment Had Retail Value of USD 2.2 Million to USD 3.5 Million
New York Says Seized Illegal Vape Shipment Had Retail Value of USD 2.2 Million to USD 3.5 Million
New York state health officials said a joint operation last week involving the State Department of Health, Nassau County police and local health officials intercepted about 14 tons of illegal vape products that were intended for local distributors and smoke shops.
Mar.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai