Indian institute warns against misconceptions about vaping

The New Delhi-based All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has reaffirmed its full support for the ban on e-cigarettes, in line with the Prohibition of Sale, Storage and Distribution of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, introduced by the Indian government. The institute warns against misleading advertisements presenting e-cigarettes as a “safe alternative,” particularly in an unregulated or recreational setting, as nicotine use among youth continues to rise and poses a potential threat to public health.[1].

Clarifications on the institute's official position

This official statement comes after the publication of an article in the journal JCO Global Oncology by two AIIMS doctors, Drs Abhishek Shankar and Vaibhav Sahni, who suggested reconsidering the ban on electronic nicotine delivery devices (ENDS), believing that these could have a beneficial effect compared to the total absence of aids to quit smoking and help combat the illicit trade in e-cigarettes.

The authors drew parallels with the UK's harm reduction approach, endorsed by Public Health England, which considers vaping to be significantly less harmful than smoking in the short and medium term. They also warned of the risks associated with unregulated products and highlighted the continued availability of ENDs through informal and online channels.

In its 2022 evidence update, Public Health England found that vaping was associated with a minor fraction of the risk of conventional smoking in the short to medium term, while acknowledging that vaping is not without risks, particularly for people who have never smoked.

Researchers said India has seen disastrous results with the total ban on alcohol in some states, which has led to illicit trade and deaths caused by the consumption of counterfeit products.

In response, the institute clarified that these opinions are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not reflect the official position of AIIMS. It reiterated that only studies validated by its expert committees or its management are recognized as representative of its institutional position.

Commitment to public health and tobacco control

" AIIMS has always taken a clear stance against smoking and nicotine use, including e-cigarettes. We support tobacco prevention, regulation, and cessation, not replacement with unregulated alternatives. " said Mr. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS.

He recalled that he had supported the national ban on ENDS since 2019 and will continue to support prudent and evidence-based public health measures. The AIIMS-Delhi Smoking Cessation Centre has also played an important role in supporting people wishing to quit smoking, providing medical support and contributing to the training of health professionals as well as the development of tobacco control policies in India.

" The very existence and continued functioning of this clinic is a testament to AIIMS's unwavering dedication to reducing the burden of tobacco-related diseases in India. ", the statement added.

In July 2025, Indian doctors had already sounded the alarm about the risks of vaping and urged the government to act to protect young people, recalling the symptoms of vaping such as coughing, dry throat, shortness of breath, headaches, increased blood pressure, rapid heart rate and increased risk of heart attack.

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[1]ETV Bharat, AIIMS-Delhi Cautions Against Deceptive Ads Of E-Cigarettes As Being Safe Alternatives, published August 10, 2025, accessed August 11, 2025

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