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.
Tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz as US waits for Iran's response to peace proposal
A Qatari natural gas tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday for the first time since the start of the Iran war, heading for Pakistan, while Washington continued to wait for Tehran's response to its latest proposals to begin peace talks.
Twelve Pakistani police officers killed in car bombing and shootout
A car bombing at a police post in northwestern Pakistan followed by an ambush on police personnel rushing to the scene to provide backup has killed at least 12 officers, police said on Sunday.
Qatar cargo ship targeted by drone, small fire with no injuries
Qatar's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reported that a commercial cargo vessel in the country's territorial waters was targeted by a drone on Sunday morning.
Israeli strike kills seven in south Lebanon, health ministry says
An Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese town of Saksakiyeh killed at least seven people, including a child, and wounded 15 on Saturday, Lebanon's health ministry said.
Spanish health officials board hantavirus-hit ship to start evacuating passengers
Spain has begun the evacuation process of passengers from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship anchored near Tenerife on Sunday, with health officials boarding the boat to conduct a final check and begin disembarking passengers, Spain's Health Ministry said.
Dubai Police have introduced a new "National Inspector" role within the General Department of Airport Security for one of the world's busiest travel hubs.
His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has expressed the UAE's support for Bahrain after authorities there said they had uncovered a cell linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially opened the city's first Smart Bus Station at Mall of the Emirates.
