E-cigarettes seized during excise inspection drive in Varkala; shop owner held

Thiruvananthapuram: As part of a special inspection drive to curb the illegal sale of banned tobacco products, excise department conducted extensive checks in the Helipad and Papanasam areas of Varkala and booked a shop owner for allegedly stocking electronic cigarettes for sale.

The inspection was led by Varkala excise circle inspector B Vishnu and his team on Monday. During the raid, excise officials inspected several commercial establishments in the tourist-heavy areas. At Saijar Super Market, located near Helipad area, the team allegedly found electronic cigarettes kept for sale in violation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA).

Following the seizure, a case was registered against the shop owner, Saijar Ansari. Excise officials said around 35 electronic cigarettes were recovered from the establishment during the inspection. The seized items were taken into custody and later produced before the court as part of the legal proceedings.

Officials said the inspection was carried out as part of intensified enforcement measures aimed at preventing the sale and distribution of prohibited electronic nicotine delivery systems. The department has been conducting regular inspections across the district to identify and take action against establishments involved in the illegal sale of such products.

Excise authorities warned traders against stocking or selling electronic cigarettes, noting that violations would invite strict legal action under the provisions of the PECA. They also urged the public to report information regarding the illegal sale of banned tobacco and nicotine products.

The inspection team included assistant excise inspector Binu, preventive officer Manjunath S R and civil excise officer Praveen, besides other excise personnel attached to Varkala circle office. Further investigation into the case is under way.