India on Wednesday banned sale, production, import and distribution of electronic cigarettes.
Making the announcement on Wednesday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted how e-cigarettes are being used as a "style statement".
The ban was necessary to ensure e-cigarettes don't become an "epidemic" among children and young adults, she added.
Health officials have proposed jail terms of up to three years, with a penalty of up to ₹5 lakh (around AED 25,700), for repeat offenders.
At least three killed in Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan, officials say
At least three people were killed in Pakistani airstrikes on northeastern Afghanistan on Monday, Afghan officials said, threatening to reignite tensions between the neighbours after nearly three months of relative calm.
Textile factory fire in southern Chinese city of Foshan kills 8
A fire that broke out at a textile factory in the Chinese city of Foshan in southern Guangdong province on Sunday has killed eight people and injured one, state news agency Xinhua said on Monday.
Typhoon approaches eastern Japan, prompts flood and landslide warnings
A powerful typhoon was approaching Japan's Pacific coast on Monday, bringing torrential rain, violent winds, and a heightened risk of landslides across the Kanto region and other parts of eastern Japan, the weather agency said.
Australia to seek UN Security Council seat from 2029
Australia will bid to join the United Nations Security Council from 2029, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday, as he launched a campaign to secure one of the two non-permanent seats available to its bloc.
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