Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is in the middle of an online storm after a video clip allegedly showing him vaping on an IndiGo flight began circulating widely on social media. The footage appears in a travel vlog by teammate Arshdeep Singh, filmed during the team’s journey from Ahmedabad to Hyderabad. The clip reportedly shows Chahal inhaling and exhaling smoke mid-flight, a sight that set off immediate criticism from fans and followers online.
The original vlog was later said to have been trimmed, removing the relevant portion. That edit only added to the speculation. Some users questioned whether the act was genuine or a staged prank referencing an earlier controversy involving Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag. Neither Chahal nor Punjab Kings has released any official statement on the matter. The authenticity of the footage has not been independently confirmed.
What Indian Law and Aviation Rules Say About Vaping on Flights
The rules on this are clear and strict. Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, e-cigarettes are fully banned in India. Their use, possession, sale, and import are all prohibited, with no exceptions for personal use.
On flights specifically, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation prohibits smoking of any kind on board. The Pilot-in-Command holds authority under Rule 141 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, to warn, restrain, or even deboard passengers who smoke or vape mid-air. IndiGo’s own guidelines state that e-cigarettes are not allowed in either cabin baggage or checked luggage.
Penalties for confirmed violations can include fines of up to Rs 10 lakh, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. Airlines can also impose flying bans of up to 30 days under updated DGCA guidelines.
Beyond safety laws, vaping on a flight carries real risk. E-cigarette vapour can trigger smoke detectors on aircraft, which crews must treat as emergencies. The confusion between vapour and actual smoke can also delay response to a genuine fire hazard, which is among the most dangerous situations possible on a plane.
IPL 2026 Has Now Seen Two Vaping Controversies
This is the second such incident in the ongoing IPL 2026 season. Earlier, Riyan Parag was caught vaping in the dressing room during a live broadcast of a Rajasthan Royals match against Punjab Kings. That incident was confirmed and punished. Parag received a fine of 25 per cent of his match fee along with a demerit point under the IPL Code of Conduct.
The Chahal situation, still unconfirmed, follows the same pattern closely enough to raise wider concerns. The BCCI has been under growing pressure to address repeated off-field conduct issues during the league. If Chahal’s case is verified, a similar or stricter response from the board would be expected.
What Other Players Have Said About Conduct in Public
Senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, commenting on the Parag incident, offered advice that now applies equally here. He said that personal choices remain personal choices, but that making them in public spaces creates a different set of consequences for players who are role models to fans, especially young ones. He specifically pointed to the responsibility that comes with being a captain or franchise leader.
Fans on social media echoed that sentiment. Many questioned how a vape device passed through airport security at all, while others simply labelled the alleged act as irresponsible given the safety stakes on a commercial flight. Whether the clip tells the full story remains to be established, but the questions it has raised are not going away quickly.
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