Riyan Parag’s vaping controversy has reignited debate around conduct in the IPL bubble and how much scrutiny players should face off the field. The Rajasthan Royals captain was filmed vaping in the dressing room during a match against Punjab Kings, prompting IPL and BCCI officials connected with tournament operations to describe the incident as reckless in an era of relentless social media activity and high-definition broadcast cameras. A senior IPL source said that while e-cigarettes are used by some players, doing so openly inside the dressing room is both risky and careless because cameras are always around. With Parag caught so visibly, the source suggested the BCCI may have to respond.
Another IPL insider said the wider question of players’ privacy in the dressing area was raised at the captains’ meeting held in Mumbai ahead of IPL 2026. Some captains had reportedly raised objections to broadcast coverage that pans toward the dressing room during live transmissions. The same source clarified that the discussion was not limited to e-cigarettes specifically; rather, it concerned general privacy—particularly moments when players may not be fully dressed or may wish to avoid being captured on camera. The captains were told that the decision on whether dressing-room visuals appear on broadcast feeds rests with the broadcaster, not the BCCI. After Parag’s incident, the matter could potentially be re-examined.
Even as the privacy angle remains under discussion, the insider stressed that Parag’s behaviour was still careless and difficult to justify. They argued that an elite athlete being caught vaping in such a manner does not provide a positive example for the public.
From a legal standpoint, India’s Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, lays out restrictions on electronic cigarettes. The law states that no individual may, directly or indirectly, produce, manufacture, import, export, transport, sell, or distribute electronic cigarettes, whether as a finished product or any part of one. It also prohibits advertising electronic cigarettes or taking part in promotions that promote their use. The act further notes that an owner, occupier, or person with control or use of any premises must not knowingly allow those facilities to be used for storing stocks of electronic cigarettes.
Medical guidance also underlines the health risks linked to vaping. Johns Hopkins Medicine has said that vaping is harmful to health, even if it may not be as damaging as traditional cigarette smoking. It highlights that nicotine is the main active ingredient in both regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes, and that it is highly addictive—driving cravings and withdrawal symptoms when nicotine intake is stopped.
Johns Hopkins Medicine also describes nicotine as a toxic substance. It points out that nicotine can raise blood pressure, trigger a spike in adrenaline, increase heart rate, and raise the likelihood of a heart attack, summarising the concerns in an expert column on its website.
