CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The first PIL was filed in Rajasthan in June 2022. A month later, the Jaipur Police conducted raids and booked five people under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage, and Advertisement) Act 2019.

Detailed explanation-2: -States of Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Jharkhand have taken steps to ban the use of ENDS, officials in the union health ministry have said.

Detailed explanation-3: -Detailed Solution: On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day (31 May 2019), the Rajasthan government has banned the production, distribution, advertisement and sale of e-cigarette in the state. An electronic cigarette is also known as e-cigarette.

Detailed explanation-4: -Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in 2019 introduced the ban on the sale, storage, and manufacture of e-cigarettes following recommendations of a Group of Ministers (GoM), headed by her.

Detailed explanation-5: -Punishment for breaking the law ranges from a fine of one to five lakh rupees, as well as imprisonment for 1 to 3 years, while those found storing the devices shall face imprisonment of up to 6 months and/or a fine up to Rs 50,000.