Punjab police issue warning against online sale of e-cigarettes

Punjab police has issued notices to various e-commerce portals for violating the Drugs and Cosmetics Act by selling e-cigarettes.

Punjab police has issued notices to various e-commerce portals for violating the Drugs and Cosmetics Act by selling e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes have been declared as an “unapproved drug” by State Drug Controller since 2013. (Representative image)

“Punjab police’s cyber crime wing has issued notices to different e-commerce portals for selling e-cigarettes,” an official spokesperson said.

“It becomes significant to prohibit these internet sites from selling e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) devices containing nicotine in chemical form which is addictive and lethal,” the spokesperson said.

E-cigarettes have been declared as an “unapproved drug” by State Drug Controller since 2013.

“Court cases have been initiated in Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur and Mohali district against vendors selling e-cigarettes,” the spokesperson said.

Earlier, State Tobacco Control Cell had also issued awareness notices to e-commerce sites that were violating the Drugs and Cosmetics Act by selling unapproved drugs like e-cigarettes.