A big argument broke out in the Lok Sabha on Thursday after BJP MP Anurag Thakur accused a Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP of smoking an e-cigarette inside Parliament. During Question Hour, Thakur asked Speaker Om Birla whether e-cigarettes were allowed in the House. When the Speaker said no, Thakur claimed that a TMC MP had been smoking one “for the past several days.” He did not mention the MP’s name, but he insisted that the matter should be investigated immediately.

Thakur said, “E-cigarettes are banned across the country, yet Trinamool MPs are sitting and smoking them inside the House.” His accusation caused several other BJP MPs to stand up and complain as well, leading to a short uproar in the Lok Sabha.

Speaker Om Birla reminded all MPs to maintain dignity inside Parliament. He said that rules must be followed and promised action if the accusation is proven. He also asked MPs to submit a written complaint so that the matter can be looked into officially.

Later, NDTV spoke to BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh, who said it would be extremely unfortunate if any MP was smoking e-cigarettes inside Parliament. He said MPs should set an example for the public.

E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are battery-operated devices that turn a special liquid into vapour, which the user inhales. This liquid usually contains nicotine and different flavours. However, India completely banned e-cigarettes in 2019 under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act. The law makes it illegal to manufacture, import, sell, store, advertise, or even possess e-cigarettes.

But despite the nationwide ban, such devices are still sold illegally in many places. The central government has even written to states, warning them about shops, sometimes near schools, still selling e-cigarettes.

It is also important to remember that smoking is completely banned in public places in India, including inside Parliament. The Parliament Rule Book clearly states that smoking in the building or its surroundings is “strictly forbidden.”

In fact, even the old smoking room inside the Parliament complex was closed in 2015, which had also caused protests among some MPs back then. This new allegation has once again brought attention to the problem of e-cigarettes being used despite the ban, and to how difficult it can be to enforce such rules in a large country like India.