Hindustan Times via Getty ImagesFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a press conference to announce the cabinet decision to ban e-cigarettes on September 18.
Amid much criticism and trolling over the e-cigarette ban, Nirmala Sitharaman had a row with Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw on Twitter with clarifications on the questioned raised by the industrialist.
Shaw was one among many who had asked the government why gutka, pan masala and cigarettes were not banned along with vapes, if the government really wanted to protect the youth from the harms of tobacco.
Shaw also asked why the finance minister made the announcement and not the health minister.
Sitharaman tweeted at Shaw saying, “Kiran ji, a few things. This press conference was dedicated to Cabinet decisions. I began by saying that I was there in my capacity as Chair of the GoM which has dealt with the matter.”
Kiran ji, a few things. This press conference was dedicated to Cabinet decisions. I began by saying that I was there in my capacity as Chair of the GoM which has dealt with the matter. @drharshvardhan is out of country for an international meet. 1/3 https://t.co/oL1UXPqEvJ
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) September 19, 2019
Sitharaman told Shaw that she was only following government protocol.
Cabinet Minister/s join @PrakashJavdekar, the I&B Minister, when required. Health Secretary was also with me, explaining details. These are protocols, as you know, which govt press conferences follow. 2/3
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) September 19, 2019
As Finance Minister — you might’ve observed — I’ve been working on and regularly speaking about measures we’ve been taking on matters of the economy. 3/3
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) September 19, 2019
Shaw replied to the finance minister saying she stood corrected and that her confusion had been clear.
I now understand n I stand corrected. Tks for explaining my confusion. Really grateful for your response.
— Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (@kiranshaw) September 19, 2019
However, there was still not clarification on the gutka question. And as a “wise man” once asked, the nation wants to know!
Here’s what people asked:
Ban on e cigarette will eventually lead the teenage to opt for regular cigarettes and deprive the adult smokers for a safer option. This is a government move to help the ‘Big tobacco’ and theres no doubt about that.
— (@deepakradiology) September 19, 2019
Many people think Your have played into the hands of the Super Luxury Tobacco manufacturers somehow.
e-cigs are a faaaaaar better option than the Deadly, Toxic Cigarette. Even Social costs are high there.
Next, Your benighted thinktank will probably plan GM Cultivation!!!
— Ravi Bopparaju (@RaviBopparaju) September 19, 2019
You are not answering, the more important question, why tobacco products not being banned??
Think as per protocol, the health minister will answer this question? Right Mrs. @nsitharaman— VSRIDHAR (@venkatasrid) September 19, 2019
Well she has not responded to gutka though..
— Manish Sharma (@M6166S) September 19, 2019
Banning E-Cig is not going to help. Who has got smoking habit, he shall shift to normal cigarette. Normal cigarettes are more harmful than E-Cig. We don’t have any manufacturer in E-Cig, all are imported. Is it a Swadeshi Cigarette promotion? Need clarification.@kiranshaw
— Indian (@Bhartiya_2018) September 19, 2019
Modi Govt bans E-Cigarettes because they are unhealthy.
But no ban on Cigarettes, Gutka, Pan Masala..and guess what?
Stocks of Cigarette Companies went instantly up –
– ITC by 1.5%
– Golden Tobacco by 4.5%
– Godfrey by 8%.
Who said Only Ambani and Adani had Vikas?— anshumanpriyadarshi (@anshumanpriyad1) September 19, 2019