Over time things seem to be moving for the condition of the e-cigarette industry in India. Recently, India's Ministry of Commerce said there was no legal basis to ban imports of e-cigarettes.
A REAL DEBATE AND FRACTURE REGARDING VAPOTAGE!
Not everyone agrees, but the debate seems to be well underway in India. Recently, India's Ministry of Commerce said it could not ban imports of e-cigarettes because there is no legal basis for doing so. In any case, this is what an internal government memorandum presents that Reuters could consult.
The move comes as the country's health ministry has repeatedly called on the government to halt sales and imports of e-cigarettes, warning that vaping devices pose a "great health risk."
The country has 106 million adult smokers, just behind China, making it a lucrative market for companies such as Juul Labs et Philip Morris International, based in the United States, who plan to launch their devices in the country.
An Indian group, one of whose units brings together franchisees Domino's Pizza and Dunkin 'Donuts in the country, is already planning to import the Juul e-cigarette. A memorandum specifies that the country must first ban local sales through federal regulations that " can withstand the scrutiny of the law"
Once this is done, the General Directorate of Foreign Trade (DGFT) may possibly announce an “import ban”, the memo specifies.
At present, the “council” of the Ministry of Health is unable to provide a legal basis for a ban, said the Ministry of Commerce, which has the power to impose import bans, . The note has not yet been made public.
A health ministry official said the ministry would work with the DGFT to explore ways to impose a ban.
