New Delhi

The government on Wednesday told Parliament that electronic cigarettes remain completely banned under Indian law and that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has not investigated any case involving the seizure of e-cigarettes or vape devices laced with narcotic substances.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of electronic cigarettes are prohibited under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (PECA) Act, 2019.

He said enforcement of the Act rests with state governments and Union Territories through their respective law enforcement agencies.

Responding to reports that vape devices seized in different states were found to contain narcotic substances such as methamphetamine and ketamine, Rai said, “The Narcotics Control Bureau has not investigated any case related to seizure of electronic cigarettes or vape devices containing narcotic substances.”

On measures to strengthen screening and checks at airports, ports and courier hubs, the minister said agencies such as the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Customs maintain constant vigil through intelligence-based operations, passenger profiling using the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), risk-based interdiction and non-intrusive inspection methods including baggage and container scanners.

He said field formations are regularly sensitised to evolving smuggling techniques, and specialised K9 (canine) squads trained to detect narcotic drugs have been deployed at airports to curb trafficking. “Upon detection and seizure of narcotic drugs, action including arrest and prosecution is taken in accordance with law,” Rai said.

The minister also clarified that there is no proposal at present to amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, in this regard.

On steps to protect students and address substance abuse, the government highlighted the 24/7 National Narcotics Helpline ‘MANAS’ (1933), which provides a single platform for citizens to report and track drug-related issues. A separate toll-free de-addiction helpline (14446) has received over 4.30 lakh calls so far, he said.

Rai added that the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan is being implemented across districts nationwide, reaching over 24.9 crore people, including youth and women, through extensive awareness programmes in schools and colleges.

E-cigarettes recently came into focus after BJP MP Anurag Thakur lodged a written complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking action against a Trinamool Congress MP for allegedly using an electronic cigarette inside the House.

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Thakur also raised the issue in the Lok Sabha without naming the member, stating that a TMC MP was seen “openly using an electronic cigarette while seated in the House during the sittings,” which he said violated parliamentary decorum and amounted to a cognisable offence under the law.