RiyanParag seen vaping inside the RR dressing room

The cricketer seen vaping has now risked imprisonment and a heavy fine amid India’s strict e-cigarette ban.

Despite the high-intensity win, RiyanParag found himself at the centre of a social media firestorm after live cameras caught him vaping in the dressing room. The footage of the same quickly went viral, turning a hard-fought victory into a secondary storyline. While RR walked away with the points, the post-match buzz was dominated by the optics of Parag’s off-field moment.

RiyanParag was seen vaping inside the RR dressing room.

The actions by ParagRiyan have now put the cricketer in trouble, as smoking is strictly prohibited inside dressing rooms and across the stadium premises, except in designated zones. The issue is further complicated by the legal status of e-cigarettes in India. Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, the production, sale, purchase, import, export and advertisement of e-cigarettes and vapes are banned. Any violation of the law can attract strict penalties, including imprisonment and substantial fines, making the incident more than just a breach of basic stadium regulations. The Act came into force on September 18, 2019. One of the key reasons for the ban is that it does not cover products licensed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Rajasthan Royals’ RomiBhinder also fined ₹1 lakh earlier.

This isn’t the first time RR have found themselves in the middle of a controversy this season. Earlier this year, manager RomiBhinder was caught using a mobile phone in the team dugout during their IPL match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Sharad Kumar-led BCCI anti-corruption unit subsequently showcausedBhinder and asked for an explanation. ACU was not happy with the clarification issued by Bhinder, as he was found guilty in the matter and fined ₹1 lakh and given an official warning. Saikia told a leading portal, “RomiBhinder was involved in a protocol violation in the Guwahati match. He was issued a notice under the IPL protocols. He was given 48 hours to explain his position. His explanation came, and we are not very satisfied with it. The Anti-Corruption Unit is not very satisfied with his reply. As it is his first breach, so under the protocols, he was fined an amount of ₹1 lakh and also handed a warning that he needs to be more careful in the future.”