Juul plans India e-cigarette entry

US-based electronic cigarette company Juul Labs Inc is hoping to launch its products in India by late 2019, marking one of its boldest bets to expand away from its home turf. After recruiting Uber India executive Rachit Ranjan as a senior public policy strategist, Juul this month hired India-based Mastercard executive Rohan Mishra as head of government relations. It plans to hire at least three more executives, including an India general manager. The push to launch in India is part of the company′s broader Asia strategy. India has 106 million adult smokers, second only to China in the world, making it a lucrative market for firms such as Juul and Philip Morris International Inc. However, India′s regulatory environment for tobacco and electronic cigarettes is highly restrictive. The health ministry last year advised states to stop the sale or import of e-cigarettes, saying they pose a "great health risk". Eight of India′s 29 states currently ban e-cigarettes. Juul said in a statement India was among the Asian markets under evaluation, but there were no "definitive plans". The company said, “As we explore potential markets, we are engaging with health regulators, policymakers and other key stakeholders.”