The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will seek an explanation from Riyan Parag after a video of the Rajasthan Royals captain vaping inside the dressing room during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match went viral on Tuesday. The incident was caught on camera in the 16th over of Rajasthan Royals’ chase of 223 against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh.
In the video, Parag was caught randomly inhaling and exhaling smoke in front of his teammates Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel. Although Rajasthan Royals won the game, Parag’s act spoiled the celebrations as vaping is banned in India. The visuals have now caught the attention of the BCCI.
“We will seek an explanation from Riyan on this matter as vaping is not allowed. Depending on his explanation, the IPL will take further action,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. Rajasthan Royals are yet to comment on the matter.
It should be noted that smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited inside the IPL Stadium premises except in designated open areas. A few days ago, Kagiso Rabada was seen smoking in the team hotel but in the open.
Will Riyan Parag face jail time?
E-cigarettes are banned in India under a 2019 law that bans their manufacture, import, sale and storage regardless of nicotine content. Violations can result in heavy fines and jail time. Personal possession and vaping in public is also prohibited.
If found guilty, BCCI could fine Parag for breaking IPL rules and setting a bad example for 19-year-old spinner Yash Raj Punj and 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who play for Rajasthan Royals.
According to the law, the offender is liable to imprisonment for up to one year and/or a ₹one million fine for the first offense. It will be interesting to see how the BCCI will deal with the controversy.
What are the laws in India about vaping?
According to the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019, “no person shall directly or indirectly (i) manufacture or manufacture or import or export or transport or sell or distribute electronic cigarettes, whether as a complete product or any part thereof; and (ii) advertise electronic cigarettes or participate in any advertisement that directly or indirectly promotes the use of electronic cigarettes.”
“…no person who is the owner or user of or who controls or uses any place shall knowingly permit it to be used for the storage of any supply of electronic cigarettes.” Parag is not the first IPL cricketer to be caught vaping in the dressing room.
Earlier, during the IPL 2020 season, then Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricketer Aaron Finch was also caught doing the same in the dressing room in a match against Rajasthan Royals in Dubai. For the uninitiated, vaping is legal in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but not in public.
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