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.
Several people detained in India's Gen Z-led protests against voter roll changes
Indian police detained several people in the capital New Delhi on Saturday, disrupting a second day of protests backed by the Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party and other opposition groups against changes to voter rolls.
Trump shares Republican senator's phone number in feud over time switch
US President Donald Trump shared online the supposed phone number of a Republican US senator in the first of multiple posts on Saturday in a row over making daylight saving time permanent.
Saudi Arabia says shrapnel from intercepted ballistic missile in Asir injures one
An Asian expat was injured after shrapnel from an intercepted ballistic missile fell in Ahad Rafidah governorate in the Asir region, Saudi Arabia's state news agency reported.
Israeli strike kills five in Gaza, health officials say
An Israeli airstrike killed at least five Palestinians in an apartment building in Gaza City early on Saturday, health and civil defence service officials said.
Nine injured in Australia as car crashes into crowd north of Sydney
A man appeared to lose control of a car that drove into a crowd in the Australian city of Newcastle on Saturday, injuring nine, authorities said.
