The Lahore High Court has provided interim relief to vape shopkeepers across Punjab by ordering the immediate de-sealing of their businesses, which had been closed by the provincial administration.
Justice Anwar Hussain issued the written order on Tuesday after hearing a petition from 74 dealers, including the well-known chain Vape Mall, challenging the abrupt sealing of their shops by local authorities. The court instructed the provincial administration to refrain from any further actions against vape shopkeepers until a final decision is reached on the pending appeal.
During the hearing, the Punjab government’s law officer was present but failed to offer any legal justification for the crackdown on vape businesses, as noted by the court. “The law officer could not present any valid legal grounds for sealing the vape shops,” the court remarked in its written observations. Following the arguments from both sides, the court issued a stay order and adjourned the proceedings until July 3, granting additional time for the Punjab government’s legal team to submit a formal response.
The Punjab chief secretary, home secretary, and capital city police officer (CCPO) of Lahore have been named as respondents in the case. The petitioners argued that the sealing of their shops was executed without prior notice and in violation of legal procedures, claiming their businesses were registered and operating lawfully. They highlighted that the sudden closures had resulted in significant financial losses.
Previously, on June 16, the Lahore High Court had declined to immediately order the reopening of vape and e-cigarette shops sealed under the Punjab government’s recent ban. The judge had heard a petition challenging the ban on the sale and use of vape products, issuing notices to the Punjab chief secretary, home secretary, and CCPO, directing them to respond at the next hearing.
The petitioners contended that the federal government permits the import of vape products and that they were operating legally by paying all relevant customs duties. They asserted that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to engage in lawful business, arguing that the Punjab government’s blanket ban infringes on this fundamental right. They criticized the provincial government for acting unilaterally without providing a legal framework or alternatives for legal traders.
On June 3, the Punjab government officially imposed a ban on electric cigarettes (vapes) following a directive from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during a provincial cabinet meeting. The Chief Minister ordered a province-wide crackdown on the sale and use of electric cigarettes, citing concerns over public health, particularly among the youth. “The unchecked use of vapes among the younger generation poses serious health risks. This decision has been made to protect our youth from long-term diseases and addiction,” she stated.
