No, vaping in a car with minors in India is prohibited under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage, and Advertisement) Act, 2019, enforced by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA) further restricts smoking in vehicles carrying children. State-level amendments, such as Delhi’s 2023 Tobacco Control Rules, explicitly extend these prohibitions to e-cigarettes. Violations may attract fines up to ₹1 lakh or imprisonment under COTPA, with stricter penalties for repeat offenses.
Key Regulations for Vaping in a Car with Kids in India
- COTPA, 2003 (Section 4): Prohibits smoking (including vaping) in public places and vehicles carrying children under 18. Enforced by local police and municipal authorities.
- E-Cigarette Ban Act, 2019: Bans the sale, storage, and use of e-cigarettes nationwide, with no exceptions for private vehicles. Non-compliance risks FSSAI penalties.
- State-Specific Rules: States like Maharashtra and Karnataka have notified COTPA amendments, classifying car interiors as “public spaces” when minors are present. Violations trigger additional local fines.
Enforcement remains inconsistent, but recent 2026 compliance directives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare mandate stricter surveillance in school zones and residential areas. Parents and guardians face liability under child protection laws if minors are exposed to secondhand aerosol. Public health advisories from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reinforce these restrictions, citing studies on pediatric respiratory risks.