Riyan Parag vaping moment leaves BCCI in uncharted territory

Riyan Parag's 'smoking moment' may be uncharted territory for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) managers as there is no documented incident of such a breach. Dressing-room smoking does not explicitly fall under any existing code – be it anti-corruption provisions or the player code of conduct. It may come under the ambit of the PMOA guidelines. How the BCCI responds could set an example for the future.

Clause 6.1.7 in the BCCI's minimum standards for players and match officials contains a provision that may have some resonance to the present case. It "requires any person in the PMOA to immediately submit themselves and/or any clothing, baggage or other items in their possession, to be searched by the BCCI Anti-Corruption Manager, provided that such search is carried out in the presence of a third party who shall be a member of the venue stewarding / security team."

At the time of filing this report, there was no information of the BCCI issuing a notice either to Rajasthan Royals management or their captain who was caught on camera vaping an e-cigarette in the dressing room during the Royals' match against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on Tuesday night. The above mentioned clause in the PMOA guidelines could potentially be invoked, but that remains speculative, given the absence of precedents.

The tobacco control laws of the country bans the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, and distribution of e-cigarettes and e-cigarette components. But the website, at the same time, states that the use of e-cigarettes is allowed indoors. "There is no law addressing the use of e-cigarettes in indoor public places, workplaces, and public transport; therefore, the use of e-cigarettes is allowed," says a statement on the website.

It remains to be seen which provisions the BCCI will invoke, if any, in this case. The PMOA handbook, however, does prescribe some sanctions: a first offence attracts a fine of INR 1 lakh; a second breach carries a Rs INR lakh penalty; and a third or subsequent violation can result in a three-match ban along with a INR 5 lakh fine. If queried, Parag and RR will plead to be treated as a first time breach.

There was no immediate comment from the RR officials. The BCCI and IPL officials could not be reached for a comment.