When acrimony went up in smoke!

A discussion on the health hazards of smoking prompted Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday to curiously inquire about e-cigarettes, triggering rare laughter and light moments in the House.

As Congress member Rajni Patil inquired, during Question Hour, about the risks of e-cigarette smoking and the government's policy on it, Naidu was quick to ask Health Minister JP Nadda to do the explaining.

"The supplementaries are over. But I would like to ask the Minister for the sake of the members' and country's general knowledge, what is an e-cigarette?" The question amused MPs who had a laugh, lightening up the mood amid serious discussions.

As the query came from the Chair, the Minister was prompt to explain to him about the product and its effects. Nadda said, "It contains a capsule of nicotine which is heated and smoker puffs the vapour," he said.

"It does not contain tobacco but the nicotine gives a high in the head of the smoker," Nadda added. Nadda informed the House that the government was examining ways to tackle the consumption of electronic smoking on the basis of the reports of three panels formed by the Health Ministry to study different aspects of the issue.

Some countries have banned e-smoking, he said, assuring MPs that an appropriate decision would be taken.

In the house

Health Minister JP Nadda assured the House that an appropriate decision would be taken regarding the regulation of e-smoking in the country