The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services on Wednesday discussed the ‘Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Regulation) Bill’, proposing stricter controls and penalties related to vaping and e-cigarettes.
The Standing Committee has approved the proposed bill, which seeks to regulate the sale, marketing, and use of vaping products in view of concerns over youth health.
Restrictions on vaping and e-cigarettes
Senator Sarmad Ali moved the bill in the Standing Committee on Health, proposing strict restrictions on the sale of vaping products near educational institutions. Under the proposed legislation, selling vaping products to individuals under the age of 18 would be illegal, and penalties would be prescribed for violations.
The bill proposes a ban on the sale of vaping products within 50 metres of schools, colleges, and other educational institutions in Islamabad. It also seeks to prohibit the use of vapes in public places, parks, government offices, and public transport, if passed into law.
Proposal of the bill
It has been proposed that a complete ban be imposed on vaping advertisements on television, social media, and other platforms. The bill also suggests limiting nicotine content to 40mg/ml and making health warnings mandatory on packaging.
Regarding penalties, the proposed legislation states that violators may face a fine of Rs50,000, along with legal action, subject to enforcement after the bill’s passage.
Similarly, it has been suggested that an age verification system be made mandatory for companies selling vaping products online.
The bill further proposes treating vaping products at par with cigarettes under existing tobacco regulations. Relevant ministries are reviewing the draft to finalise enforcement mechanisms before it is tabled in the Senate.
In this regard, committee members noted that protecting the health of youth remains key objective of the proposed legislation, with stricter action planned against the smuggling of low quality e-liquids.
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