India bans e-cigarettes to prevent a potential 'epidemic'

Citing alarming U.S. data about the dangers of vaping, India is banning e-cigarettes.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the ban Wednesday, saying it covers "e-cigarette production, manufacturing, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement," reports CNN.

An emergency ordinance will be issued in a few days, and will be converted into law during the next Parliament session, per CNN. Those who violate the ban could face one year of prison time, a $1,400 fine, or both.

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Sitharaman said the move was an effort to control the potential "epidemic." Vaping is slowly gaining popularity in India, NDTV reports.

Seven people in the U.S. have died from vaping-related illnesses, and hundreds are being treated for lung illnesses that may be linked to e-cigarettes, CNN reports. Sitharaman said the U.S. deaths had compounded local fears about the devices, contributing to the decision to ban them outright to reduce risk. Read more at CNN.