Mumbai: E-cigarettes, vaping devices being sold to students via ads on social media.
E-cigarettes are electronic devices that heat a liquid and produce an aerosol, or mix of small particles in the air.
The use, import ,sale and manufacture of e-cigarettes and vaping devices has been banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019.
Officials said that due to the prevailing misconception that e-cigarettes are ‘healthier’, a large number of young people have been gravitating towards them.
“It’s shocking that shop owners are selling banned products to school- and college-goers. Several city shops were doing the same,” a police officer said, adding that some sold them to class VIII and IX students.
The Crime Branch department of Mumbai Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) had received information that e-Cigarettes, vaping devices, refills and other items were being sold and supplied mostly in south Mumbai and western suburbs.
