India's Health Ministry Wants to Ban Electronic Cigarettes

The health ministry of India has proposed a ban on the production and import of electronic cigarettes.

The ministry is concerned the use of e-cigarettes will become an "epidemic" among children and young adults and therefore banning the products is in public interest.

Health officials are proposing jail terms of up to three years, with a penalty of up to 500,000 rupees, for repeat offenders who violate the new rules, according to a draft of the executive order.

First-time offenders would face a prison term of up to one year and a fine of 100,000 rupees.

Debate continues, however, with regards to level of risk with advocates claiming that smoking e-cigarettes is far less harmful than smoking tobacco because users do not inhale the same dangerous matter.