The controversy surrounding Riyan Parag continues to gain momentum, with a prominent women’s collective now calling for a deeper investigation into visuals allegedly showing the Rajasthan Royals skipper using a vape-like device during an IPL 2026 match. The group, Mothers Against Vaping, has raised serious concerns about the broader implications of the incident, particularly its potential influence on young viewers.
The footage in question dates back to April 28, during the clash between the Rajasthan Royals and the Punjab Kings. Captured during a live broadcast, the clip appeared to show the 24-year-old inside the dressing room with what looked like a vaping device. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has since taken action, fining Parag 25 per cent of his match fee and adding one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the IPL Code of Conduct.
However, the women’s group believes the matter goes beyond a simple disciplinary breach. Citing the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, they stressed that e-cigarettes are completely banned in India, including their production, sale, storage, and usage. The collective also dismissed claims that vaping indoors falls into a “grey area,” calling such interpretations misleading and legally incorrect.
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In a strongly worded statement, the group highlighted that the Union Health Ministry has clarified that even possession of e-cigarettes can invite penalties, including fines and imprisonment. They emphasised that the law applies equally to everyone, regardless of celebrity status, and warned against any perceived normalisation of banned substances on high-visibility platforms such as the IPL.
🚨 News 🚨@rajasthanroyals Captain Riyan Parag has been fined 25% of his match fee and has also accumulated one Demerit Point (Level 1) for breaching Article 2.21 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials.
More Details 🔽 | #TATAIPL https://t.co/zftWRg2QWH
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 30, 2026
The issue has also sparked a wider conversation around the role of public figures in shaping behaviour. Referencing remarks made by Narendra Modi during the 2019 ban, the group reiterated concerns about e-cigarettes being projected as a lifestyle trend. According to them, the presence of such a device on national television risks sending the wrong message, particularly to impressionable audiences.
While acknowledging the BCCI’s initial action, the collective has urged the board to adopt a zero-tolerance stance and conduct a thorough inquiry. They have questioned whether the incident was a careless mistake, a deliberate act, or part of a larger attempt—intentional or otherwise—to keep banned products in public discourse.
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The group has also called on Parag to clarify his position and cooperate fully with any investigation. Their stance is clear: accountability must be enforced, and cricket, as a widely followed sport in India, cannot afford to be associated with behaviour that undermines public health regulations.
As the debate intensifies, the focus now shifts to whether further action will be taken—and what message it sends about responsibility, influence, and the line between personal conduct and public accountability in modern sport.
