India’s National Medical Commission Bans E-Cigarette Research Without Health Ministry Approval

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has instructed doctors affiliated with it not to initiate or participate in any research related to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) without the necessary approval from India’s federal Ministry of Health.

The move came after Director General of Health Services Dr. Atul Goel sent a letter to the NMC raising the issue and asking it to issue the necessary directions to medical professionals affiliated with the NMC and the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

In a notice dated December 15, the NMC asked medical professionals to comply with Goel’s directive.

In a December 8 letter, Goel said, “I am writing to address a matter of utmost importance concerning the involvement of medical professionals in research related to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs).” He stressed that under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019 (PECA, 2019), the government has clearly banned e-cigarettes, HTPs, and such devices in India.

“In view of this, all medical professionals associated with the NMC and IMA must refrain from initiating or participating in any research activities related to e-cigarettes and HTPs without the necessary approval from the DGHS and the Union Ministry of Health,” the letter to NMC Acting Chairperson Dr. B N Gangadhar stated.

“In this regard, I request that the necessary instructions be issued to all medical professionals associated with the NMC and IMA. I am confident that the NMC and IMA can play a crucial role in disseminating this directive among their members, emphasizing the importance of compliance with the ban on e-cigarettes and HTPs, and promoting responsible research within the medical community,” the letter said.

A copy of the letter was also sent to IMA National President Dr. Sharad Kumar Agarwal.

On December 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged governments to take urgent action to curb the rise in e-cigarette use, combat nicotine addiction, and implement comprehensive tobacco control measures. It also called on governments to stop the growing popularity of e-cigarettes among the public, especially children and young people.