The National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed doctors affiliated with it to refrain from initiating or participating in any research activities related to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) without obtaining the necessary approvals from the Union Health Ministry.
The move follows a letter written by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Atul Goel, to the NMC, flagging the issue and asking it to issue necessary instructions to healthcare professionals affiliated with the NMC and the Indian Medical Association (lMA).
The NMC, in a public notice on December 15, asked healthcare professionals to comply with Goel’s instructions.
In a letter dated December 8, Goel said, “I am writing to address a matter of utmost importance concerning healthcare professionals’ engagement in research related to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (HTPs).” He highlighted that under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement) Act, 2019 (PECA, 2019) the government has unequivocally banned the use of e-cigarettes, HTPs and such devices in India.
“In light of this, it is imperative that all healthcare professionals affiliated with the NMC and the lMA refrain from initiating or participating in any research activities related to e-cigarettes and HTPs without obtaining the necessary approvals from the DGHS and the Union Health Ministry,” read the letter sent to Dr B N Gangadhar, the officiating chairman of the NMC.