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.
Trump says text of signed US, Iran deal will be released on Friday
President Donald Trump has announced on Monday that a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the US and Iran, though details have yet to be made public and both countries said a permanent truce is yet to be negotiated.
Lebanon fighting eases after US-Iran deal but displaced warned not to rush home
Fighting in southern Lebanon eased on Monday after the US-Iran deal to end the wider conflict was announced, but an Israeli drone strike killed one person and authorities warned displaced people not to rush home as Israel said it would keep troops in the south.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy says he offered to meet Putin at G7 or the US
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said on Monday that he had offered to meet Vladimir Putin at a G7 summit in France this week or even in the United States for talks to end a four-year war.
Ukrainian man found guilty of setting on fire houses linked to UK PM Starmer
A Ukrainian man was found guilty on Monday of carrying out arson attacks on property connected to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in May last year on behalf of a mystery figure he knew only as "EL Money".
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has commended the record-breaking participation of over 20 million Egyptian students in the initial stages of the 10th Arab Reading Challenge.
United Arab Emirates leaders marked the Hijri New Year on Monday with uplifting messages of optimism and prosperity.
A large global coalition has come together to condemn the drone attack near the United Arab Emirates' Barakah nuclear plant last month with a powerful statement.
