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.
Lebanese parliament plans session to elect president
Lebanon's parliament will convene on January 9 to elect a president after a two-year vacuum, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) said on Thursday.
Opposition disrupts Indian parliament for fourth day
The lower house of India's parliament was suspended temporarily on Friday for a fourth day in a row this week following disruptions as opposition lawmakers sought a discussion on the allegations against Adani Group.
Russia hits Ukrainian energy facilities, causes blackouts
Russia unleashed on Thursday its second big attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this month, leaving much of the country without power.
Syrian and Russian jets bomb rebel-held northwest Syria
Russian and Syrian warplanes bombed rebel-held northwest Syria near the border with Turkey on Thursday to push back an offensive that captured territory for the first time in years, Syrian army and rebel sources said.
Israel and Hezbollah trade accusations of ceasefire violations
The Israeli military said its air force struck a facility used by Hezbollah to store mid-range rockets in southern Lebanon on Thursday, after both sides accused each other of breaching a ceasefire that aims to halt over a year of fighting.
