<p>The government on Friday introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha to replace an Ordinance which banned the production, import and sale of e-cigarettes and similar products in the country.</p>.<p>The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Bill, 2019 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.</p>.<p>The government has put a ban on the production, import and sale of e-cigarettes and similar products in the country through an Ordinance promulgated on September 18.</p>.<p>A Bill, which seeks to replace the Ordinance, makes the manufacturing, production, import, export, distribution, transport, sale, storage or advertisements of such alternative smoking devices a cognizable offence, attracting a jail term and a fine.</p>.<p>While those producing, importing, exporting, transporting, selling, distributing or advertising electronic cigarettes will face a maximum jail term up to one year and/or a fine up to Rs 1 lakh on conviction, a maximum term of imprisonment for three years with a fine up to Rs 5 lakh will be handed down to those committing the offence for second or subsequent times.</p>.<p>The storage of e-cigarettes shall be punishable with imprisonment of up to six months and/or a fine which may extend to Rs 50,000, according to the Bill.</p>.<p>The Bill authorised officials to conduct searches in premises, stating that where such searches were not permissible, authorities might attach properties, stocks of e-cigarettes or records maintained by the manufacturer, producer exporter, transporter, importer, stockist against whom a complaint had been made.</p>
<p>The government on Friday introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha to replace an Ordinance which banned the production, import and sale of e-cigarettes and similar products in the country.</p>.<p>The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Bill, 2019 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.</p>.<p>The government has put a ban on the production, import and sale of e-cigarettes and similar products in the country through an Ordinance promulgated on September 18.</p>.<p>A Bill, which seeks to replace the Ordinance, makes the manufacturing, production, import, export, distribution, transport, sale, storage or advertisements of such alternative smoking devices a cognizable offence, attracting a jail term and a fine.</p>.<p>While those producing, importing, exporting, transporting, selling, distributing or advertising electronic cigarettes will face a maximum jail term up to one year and/or a fine up to Rs 1 lakh on conviction, a maximum term of imprisonment for three years with a fine up to Rs 5 lakh will be handed down to those committing the offence for second or subsequent times.</p>.<p>The storage of e-cigarettes shall be punishable with imprisonment of up to six months and/or a fine which may extend to Rs 50,000, according to the Bill.</p>.<p>The Bill authorised officials to conduct searches in premises, stating that where such searches were not permissible, authorities might attach properties, stocks of e-cigarettes or records maintained by the manufacturer, producer exporter, transporter, importer, stockist against whom a complaint had been made.</p>