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.
1 dead as Typhoon Kalmaegi dumps heavy rains over central Philippines
At least one person was killed when Typhoon Kalmaegi hit the central Philippines on Tuesday, the national disaster agency said, as torrential rains, strong winds and storm surges forced tens of thousands to evacuate from their homes.
Worker trapped under collapsed medieval tower in Rome dies, media says
A Romanian worker trapped for hours under rubble in Rome on Monday following the partial collapse of a medieval tower near the Colosseum has died, local media said.
Saudi Crown Prince bin Salman to visit Trump in White House
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will be at the White House on November 18 for an official working visit with US President Donald Trump, a White House official said on Monday.
Man charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after knife attack on UK train
British police said a 32-year-old British man was on Monday charged with 10 counts of attempted murder over a knife attack on a train on Saturday, an incident officers had already said was not being treated as terrorism-related.
The Emirates Lunar Mission’s Rashid Rover 2 has completed its development and testing in the UAE and is now on its way to the United States for launch preparations.
The UAE has expressed its solidarity with Afghanistan after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Mazar-e Sharif city in the northern region, killing at least 20 people and leaving hundreds injured.
The UAE has offered its sincere condolences and solidarity with Kenya over landslides caused by heavy rainfall in the west of the country that resulted in the deaths of at least 26 people.
