New Delhi: rajasthan royals During Rajasthan Royals’ match against Kings XI Punjab at the Mullanpur Cricket Stadium, captain Riyan Parag landed himself in big trouble after he allegedly used an e-cigarette-like device in the dressing room. Parag’s vaping vision went viral, sparking debate on social media, with many questioning the discipline of young people and the legality of such devices under Indian law.Now, a women’s group on Thursday demanded an investigation into a video that allegedly showed Parag using a vaping-like device during an IPL match, questioning the use of the product and seeking a thorough investigation into the incident. Mothers Against Vaping, a group of mothers advocating against the promotion of e-cigarettes and new-age nicotine devices such as e-cigarettes, raised the concern.Parag’s incident took place during a match between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab on April 28 when cameras captured him using an e-cigarette-like device while sitting in the dressing room during the live match.
Citing the provisions of the E-Cigarette Prohibition Act of 2019, the organization said that e-cigarettes are prohibited in India, including their production, manufacturing, import, export, transportation, sale, distribution, storage and advertising.It also rejected claims in some reports that indoor vaping falls into a “grey area”, calling such claims “misinformation.”“The Union Health Ministry also clarified that possession of e-cigarettes in any form or quantity is an offense. The law clearly states that offenses are punishable with imprisonment up to six months or a fine up to Rs 50,000, or both, while violation of the wider ban is punishable with imprisonment up to one year or a fine up to Rs 1 lakh, or both, with the penalty being higher for repeat offences,” the organization said in a statement.“In India, the law must prevail. Be it a celebrity or an ordinary citizen, the same rules must apply,” a spokesman for the group said, adding that public figures should not be allowed to mock product categories that India has banned in the interest of public health.The group said the presence of e-cigarette-like devices around high-profile cricketers on national television could send the wrong message to millions of young viewers.“We have all seen a clear trend: Despite the ban, multinational tobacco companies are eager to bring e-cigarettes into the public eye and normalize these devices in India. In this case, we have reason to question whether Riyan Parag is entirely his own doing, or whether the controversy has knowingly or unknowingly provided publicity for banned substances. We demand an investigation,” the statement read.The collective added that if Parag meant no harm, he should clarify his position and cooperate with any investigation. “He should voluntarily submit to due process. No celebrity can demand different standards than those applied to ordinary citizens,” it said.The organization further said that the Indian cricket community cannot afford the “normalization of banned products in front of young audiences”.“The committee must establish the facts, increase accountability and send an unmistakable message that the law and the health of India’s children come first,” the statement said.The group reiterated that e-cigarettes are not a harmless lifestyle choice and warned that such products could become a gateway device for teenagers, so strict enforcement and responsible public behavior are crucial.The group said: “Our children don’t just look at celebrities, they emulate them. That’s why this matter must be taken seriously and not dismissed lightly as a momentary lapse.”
