After WHO ban, NMC directs doctors not to participate in e cigarettes related research without permission

New Delhi: After the World Health Organization's (WHO) call for a ban on e-cigarettes, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has now directed doctors to refrain from initiating or participating in any research activities related to e-cigarettes and HTPs without obtaining the necessary approval from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

This comes after the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Atul Goel wrote to the Commission raising the issue and asked it to issue necessary instructions to all healthcare professionals affiliated with NMC and the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

In the letter dated 08.12.2023, the DGHS mentioned in the letter, "I am writing to address a matter of utmost importance concerning healthcare professional's engagement in research related to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (HTPs)."

"As you are aware, the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage, and Advertisement) Act,20l9 (PECA 2019), has unequivocally banned the use of e-cigarettes, HTPs and like devices in India. In light of this, it is imperative that all healthcare professionals affiliated with the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Indian Medical Association (lMA) refrain from initiating or participating in any research activities related to e-cigarettes and HTPs without obtaining the necessary approvals from the Dte.GHS and MoHFW. In this regard, I would request that necessary instructions please be issued to all healthcare professionals affiliated with the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the lndian Medical Association (lMA)," mentioned the letter.

"I trust that the NMC and IMA can play a pivotal role in disseminating this directive among their members, emphasizing the gravity of adherence to the ban on e-cigarettes and HTPs, and promoting responsible research within the healthcare community," it added.

Following the DGHS directive, the NMC Policy and Coordination Division also issued a notice on 15.12.2023 and pointed out that the Union Government unequivocally banned the use of e-cigarettes, HTPs, and like devices in India.

Also Read: Health Ministry Highlights 2019: 15,700 more MBBS seats, NMC, E Cigarette Ban, Modicare

Referring to this, NMC mentioned in the notice, "The Government have vide the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement) Act, 2019 (PECA, 2019) unequivocally banned the use of e-cigarettes, HTPs and like devices in India. In light of the same, it is imperative that all healthcare professionals affiliated with the NMC refrain from initiating or participating in any research activities related to e-cigarettes and HTPs without obtaining the necessary approvals from the Dte.GHS and MoHFW."

Along with the notice, NMC also referred to a copy of the D.O letter No. H.11013/03/2021-TC dated 08 December 2023 for information and compliance by all healthcare professionals affiliated with the NMC.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 was notified on December 6 making the production, import, export, transport, sale or advertisements of such "alternative" smoking devices a cognisable offence attracting jail term and fine.

WHO Directive: 

Meanwhile, WHO on Thursday urged governments to treat e-cigarettes similarly to tobacco and ban all flavours, threatening cigarette companies' bets on smoking alternatives.

Some researchers, campaigners and governments see e-cigarettes, or vapes, as a key tool in reducing the death and disease caused by smoking. But the U.N. agency said "urgent measures" were needed to control them.

Citing studies, it said there was insufficient evidence that vapes helped smokers quit, that they were harmful to health and that they could drive nicotine addiction among non-smokers, especially children and young people.

"Kids are being recruited and trapped at an early age to use e-cigarettes and may get hooked to nicotine," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, urging countries to implement strict measures.

To view the NMC notice, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-notice-e-cigarettes-228004.pdf

Also Read: WHO calls for ban on flavoured vapes, treating e-cigarettes the same as tobacco