Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee after being seen vaping in the dressing room during an Indian Premier League match.
The 24-year-old was caught on television coverage inhaling from a device during Tuesday’s game against Punjab Kings. Tournament organisers said the incident breached the IPL’s code of conduct relating to “conduct that brings the game into disrepute”.
Parag admitted the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by the match referee.
Further action under consideration
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Parag has also been given one demerit point, but indicated further action could follow.
In a statement, the IPL said: “Riyan admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by the match referee, Amit Sharma.
“The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is also exploring other options to initiate proceedings for stringent action against the erring team, its officials and player/s to ensure that the reputation of IPL remains intact.”
Officials have suggested any additional disciplinary measures could extend beyond the player to include the franchise and team staff.
Vaping law in India
The incident has drawn particular scrutiny because e-cigarettes are subject to a sweeping prohibition in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
While the law is often described as a “vaping ban”, it is more precise to say that it prohibits the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertising of e-cigarettes, rather than expressly criminalising individual use.
That distinction matters. The breach may still raise questions beyond tournament rules, particularly around how the device was obtained, transported or possessed, but the legal position is more nuanced than simply saying that vaping itself is illegal.
The controversy has also reignited debate around player behaviour and the expectations placed on high-profile athletes, particularly those in leadership roles.
Wider implications for the IPL
The BCCI has framed the incident as a reputational issue for the competition, signalling it may take a tougher approach to enforcement.
Parag, who has represented India 10 times at international level, remains a key figure for Rajasthan Royals, who are currently fourth in the IPL table. The team is next due to face Delhi Capitals on Friday.
Taken in context
While the sanction centres on conduct and legality within India, the episode also highlights how vaping continues to be treated differently across countries.
In the UK, vaping is widely used as a smoking cessation tool for adults, but its use by under-18s and in restricted environments remains tightly controlled.
The IPL case, by contrast, reflects a setting where vaping is banned outright, meaning the issue is framed primarily as a legal and disciplinary breach rather than a public health debate.
