TN bans e-cigarettes, issues GO

“After careful examination in public interest, the Health and Family Welfare Department hereby prohibits the manufacture, sale (including online sale), distribution, trade, display, marketing, advertisement, use, import and possession of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS), known as e-cigarettes,” the GO read.

The decision to ban e-cigarettes was earlier announced on June 14 in the Assembly where it was discussed that since chewable tobacco products are banned in the state, the same rule should apply for e-cigarettes. 

In the GO, the Health Department listed the ill effects of e-cigarettes to substantiate the ban. It was mentioned that these cigarettes contain aerosol, nicotine, ultrafine particles that can affect the body.

The e-cigarettes also cause unintended injuries, the GO stated. “Defective e-cigarettes have caused explosions, some of which have resulted in serious injuries. 

E-cigarettes like any other electronic products, are not allowed in checked-in baggage of in airlines for fear of unintended injuries,” the GO read. Samrat Chowdhrey, Director, Association of Vapers India said, “TN has hit a new low in anti-people policy by banning e-cigarettes along with their sale while a more harmful product, cigarettes, continue to be sold freely.”