Delhi: A fresh controversy erupted in the Lok Sabha on Thursday as the ongoing Winter Session witnessed yet another confrontation between the ruling BJP and the opposition. The latest flashpoint came when BJP MP Anurag Thakur alleged that a Trinamool Congress MP had been using an e-cigarette inside the Parliament complex—an act prohibited under Indian law.
Raising the issue on the floor of the House, Thakur refrained from naming the MP but claimed the behaviour had been occurring “for several days.” He questioned whether any special permission had been granted for vaping inside the Lok Sabha chamber, reminding members that e-cigarettes remain banned nationwide under existing legislation.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla promptly addressed the allegation and made his position unambiguous. Stating that no MP is authorised to smoke or vape inside Parliament, Birla said that he would take “immediate and appropriate action” if the claim is substantiated with clear evidence. He emphasised that the dignity and decorum of the House could not be compromised under any circumstances.
The debate revived focus on India’s strict prohibition of electronic cigarettes, which was implemented in 2019 to counter what officials described as a growing public health emergency. Although marketed globally as a safer alternative to tobacco, e-cigarettes were found to contain addictive nicotine and multiple harmful chemicals. Health researchers warned that the devices particularly appealed to young people and could trigger a fresh wave of nicotine addiction across the country.
Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, the production, sale, distribution, import, and advertising of all vaping devices are illegal. While personal possession is not as heavily penalised, authorities regularly conduct enforcement drives to curb the thriving black market that still persists online and in various urban pockets.
