Delhi high court stays ban on e-cigarettes

NEW DELHI: Delhi high court on Monday stayed Centre’s move to ban sale of e-cigarettes.

HC granted interim relief to e-cigarette vendors and stayed till May 17 the decision of Director General Health Services that works under the central drug regulator.

Last month, Central Drugs Control Organisation had directed all drug controllers in all states and Union territories not to permit manufacture, sale, import and advertisement of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, including e-cigarettes and flavoured hookah, in their jurisdictions.

Challenging the ban, an importer of vaping devices moved court, arguing that vaping is “not akin to a cigarette and has been internationally recognised as a healthier alternative to traditional tobacco smoking.”

The petitioner firm argued that Centre came out with a ban despite a clear order of HC last year that only states have the power to enforce such a ban and not the central government. “The government order is unsubstantiated and silent as to the legal provision under which the same has been issued,” the plea added.