'Avoid researching e-cigarettes, take prior permission from the ministry', National Medical Commission instructed doctors

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed doctors to refrain from starting any research activities related to e-cigarettes without prior permission from the Union Health Ministry. This step was taken after a letter written by the Director General of Health Services Dr. Atul Goyal to NMC.

In this letter, health professionals affiliated with NMC and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) were asked to issue necessary instructions. In a notice issued on December 15, NMC has asked health professionals to follow the instructions of the Director General of Health Services. Dr. Atul Goyal had written this letter to NMC acting president Dr. BN Gangadhar on December 8.

In the letter, the Director General of Health Services wrote that under the Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Prohibition Act, 2019, the government has banned the use of e-cigarettes. All health professionals must avoid undertaking or participating in any research activities related to e-cigarettes and HTPs without obtaining necessary approvals from DGHS and the Union Health Ministry.

In this regard, necessary instructions should be issued to all healthcare professionals affiliated with NMC and IMA. A copy of the letter has also been sent to IMA National President Dr. Sharad Kumar Aggarwal.