Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

India defends electronic cigarette ban in court with attack on Juul

THE impending launch of Juul e-cigarettes in India was a factor in the government's decision to ban the sale of vaping products, a top government lawyer said on Tuesday (1) while defending the move in a Kolkata court.

Last month, India banned the sale and import of electronic cigarettes, warning of a vaping "epidemic" among young people and dashing plans of companies such as Juul Labs Inc and Philip Morris International to sell products in the country.


Juul had aimed to launch its e-cigarette in India in late 2019 and had hired several senior executives in recent months.

"What was impending was a nationwide launch of Juul ... it (the government) chose to act immediately," additional solicitor general Aman Lekhi told the court.

Lekhi made the remarks while defending two challenges against the ban that have been filed by e-cigarettes importer Plume Vapour and another company Woke Vapors.

He told the judge the cases were a "proxy for Juul" but did not elaborate. He later told Reuters inside the courtroom: "We feel they are a proxy for Juul, there's a very real possibility".

A Juul spokesman declined to comment on the government's remarks. Woke Vapors and Plume Vapour did not respond to requests for comment.

Two senior Juul executives were present inside the packed courtroom on Tuesday, seated for most of the two-hour hearing next to the federal health ministry's bureaucrat who oversees tobacco control, Vikas Sheel.

Juul Labs, in which tobacco giant Altria Group Inc owns a 35 per cent stake, is facing increased scrutiny in the US, its home market, as teen use of e-cigarettes surges.

Even before the ban was announced, the Indian government had said products such as Juul were harmful and could potentially undermine its tobacco control efforts. More than 900,000 people die each year in India due to tobacco-related illnesses.

However, India has 106 million adult smokers, second only to China, making it a lucrative potential market for companies selling both tobacco and vaping products.

Plume Vapour, one of the companies arguing against the ban, told the court on Tuesday that "relative harm" from e-cigarettes was less than from tobacco products and the government was scaring consumers by banning the product.

The government's counsel Lekhi said e-cigarette's novelty and attractiveness pose a public health danger, and the product needs to be nipped in the bud. "You don't want a new substance to cause addiction," he told the court.

The court on Tuesday did not put the ban order on hold, but as a temporary relief revoked the current requirement for sellers to submit their existing stock of e-cigarettes to authorities for disposal.

The cases, which have emerged as a key legal test of the government's ban order, will next be heard on November 14.

(Reuters)

More For You

How Shaye Bhattessa-Sharma Transformed Her Dragons’ Den Setback into Major Success

Shaye Bhattessa-Sharma was the youngest-ever contestant to secure an offer

Youtube/ Dragons' Den

How did Shaye Bhattessa-Sharma’s Dragons’ Den setback lead to an even bigger success

In 2023, Shaye Bhattessa-Sharma made history as the youngest-ever contestant to secure an investment on Dragons’ Den at just 15 years old. Fast forward to today, and the now 17-year-old entrepreneur has taken his business to new heights with the backing of one of the UK’s wealthiest billionaires. Here’s how Shaye’s journey has unfolded since his memorable appearance on the BBC show.

A historic pitch on Dragons’ Den

Shaye, accompanied by his father Raj, entered the Den with his innovative football-themed board game, Football Billionaire. The game, which involves trading players like goalkeepers, defenders, and forwards, impressed Peter Jones, the show’s longest-standing Dragon. Peter offered £50,000 for a 20% stake in the business, and Shaye accepted, making headlines as the youngest entrepreneur to secure a deal on the show.

Keep ReadingShow less
Eros Media

Eros had agreed to make the payment on 10 March to investors who bought bonds issued by the company on the London Stock Exchange in 2014.

Bollywood film group Eros Media may delay £3.75m payout to UK investors

THOUSANDS of UK investors are uncertain about receiving a £3.75 million payment from Eros Media World, a Bollywood film group, as the company has indicated it may not be able to pay on time.

Eros had agreed to make the payment on 10 March to investors who bought bonds issued by the company on the London Stock Exchange in 2014.

Keep ReadingShow less
india-ireland

Jaishankar met Harris over a working breakfast at the Department of Foreign Affairs, where they finalised an 'Action Plan' aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. (Photo: X/@DrSJaishankar)

India, Ireland to strengthen trade ties with new Joint Economic Commission

INDIA and Ireland have agreed to establish a Joint Economic Commission (JEC) to boost trade, investment, and technology collaboration, external affairs minister S Jaishankar announced after a meeting with Irish foreign minister Simon Harris in Dublin on Friday.

Jaishankar met Harris over a working breakfast at the Department of Foreign Affairs, where they finalised an "Action Plan" aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rachel-Reeves-Getty

Reeves is expected to announce welfare spending cuts worth billions of pounds in the Labour government's Spring Statement on March 26. (Photo: Getty Images)

Welfare system too costly, needs reform: Rachel Reeves

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves said on Friday that the UK’s welfare system is "costing too much" and must be reformed as the government faces financial pressures from high inflation and borrowing.

Reeves is expected to announce welfare spending cuts worth billions of pounds in the Labour government's Spring Statement on March 26. The statement will be a follow-up to her first budget last October, according to reports this week.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lloyds-UK-Reuters

People walk past a branch of Lloyds bank in London on January 17, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

Lloyds to hire 4,000 tech workers in India, cut UK jobs: Report

LLOYDS Banking Group is hiring hundreds of IT engineers in India while planning to cut similar jobs in the UK, according to a report.

The bank aims to have 4,000 permanent technology and data employees in India by the end of the year, nearly half of its global engineering workforce, reported the Financial Times.

Keep ReadingShow less