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Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
'Mothers Against Vaping' asks Health Ministry to curb nicotine pouches, flags teen addiction risk
New Delhi: An anti-vaping group has appealed to the Union Health Ministry to impose an immediate ban on nicotine pouches and gums, describing it as a fast-emerging trend and dangerous addiction among teenagers. In formal representations sent to both the Union Health Minister and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Mothers Against Vaping has called for urgent regulatory action on nicotine pouches, terming them as a potential "next gateway" product just like vapes and e-cigarettes. The group, a united front of mothers combatting the " vaping crisis " among youths, has also urged the government to stop pharmaceutical firms, owned or funded by global tobacco multinational companies, from applying for licenses to market nicotine pouches in the country. Mothers Against Vaping said the pouches are allegedly being falsely marketed by global tobacco interests as a "safer alternative" to smoking, a narrative it added has "already misled many young people". The group, in their representations, has requested the government to launch a thorough investigation into such pharmaceutical companies, alleging multinational tobacco corporations of allegedly using them as front companies to gain backdoor access to the Indian market. It cited a recent acquisition of an Indian pharma and nutraceutical firm by an MNC, claiming that it has applied for a license to introduce nicotine pouches. "This acquisition was made solely to bypass existing tobacco control laws and mislead vigilant regulators," the group said. It claimed that large tobacco companies are allegedly actively commissioning research and manipulating policies to promote their new-age nicotine products. Mothers Against Vaping said it had earlier released a white paper on it titled 'Please Stop This'. The white paper claimed that the MNCs are running a propaganda campaign to undermine regulatory efforts and frameworks in many foreign countries, including in Japan, where vapes and HNBs (heat-not-burn devices) production are now a success. The World Health Organization (WHO), too, has campaigned against tobacco industry 's "tactics to influence public health policies " to protect young people from their products. According to the global health body, the tobacco industry profits from damaging health with their products and has attempted to get a seat at the policymaking table with governments to lobby against health policies. The government has to carefully study the intent of various lobbying effort to indirectly or directly promote these new-age gateway devices, the group said in a statement. In India, the government already permits the sale of medically regulated NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) products such as nicotine gums, lozenges, strips, and patches. Under the current provisions of Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945, nicotine gums containing up to 2 mg of nicotine are exempt from requiring a sales licence or a prescription from a registered medical practitioner, the group said. "This regulatory loophole is enabling such products to be sold over the counter without oversight or restriction, creating a pathway for potentially harmful nicotine products to enter the market unchecked," it said. The nicotine pouches offer a new and novel method to deliver the toxic and addictive substance and the small packets contain nicotine powder or salts, and most of them contain 1.5 to 8 milligrams of nicotine, the group added. "However, some can contain as much as 50 milligrams per pouch, which is equivalent to smoking eight cigarettes. Also, they do not require spitting, making them further easy to use undetected, unlike traditional smokeless tobacco," it said. Clinical Psychologist and Mothers Against Vaping member D Bhavna Barmi said, "It is a matter of high alarm that manufacturers of nicotine pouches are actively targeting impressionable teenagers through calculated marketing strategies. These companies are using sleek, modern packaging, colourful branding, and flavours like mint, fruit and bubble-gum to make nicotine seem fun and harmless. "These subtle but powerful psychological cues make teenagers perceive nicotine pouches as a trendy lifestyle accessory and are lured into trying them out, leading to addiction." Some health experts early exposure to nicotine of this kind and other such chemicals can inflict serious damage on a child's physical health. Dr Rajesh Gupta, Director of Pulmonology at Fortis Hospital, and a member of Mothers Against Vaping, said that these products are often marketed as "smokeless" or "tobacco-free", but that does not make them harmless. "It should be highlighted that nicotine itself is a powerful chemical that can cause real, lasting damage, especially in developing bodies. There are many studies that have shown that nicotine alters brain development, and in teens it can cause elevated heart rates, high blood pressure, frequent headaches, nausea, and even early signs of cardiovascular strain. He said Nicotine can also impair immune function and disrupt sleep cycles, both of which are essential for healthy adolescent growth and development. "Teens are being misled into thinking these pouches are safe or "clean" alternatives when in reality they are exposing themselves to a highly addictive substance that harms their bodies in multiple ways," Gupta said. "We need stronger public health messaging and regulatory oversight to push back against this deceptive narrative. Our youth deserve honest information, not marketing tactics that put their long-term health at risk," he added. PTI
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Aspirants distressed over far-off NEET-PG centres, IMA-JDN urges ministry to act
The Indian Medical Association-Junior Doctors' Network (IMA-JDN) has submitted an urgent representation to Union Health Minister J P Nadda, raising serious concern over the allotment of NEET-PG centres. NEET PG 2025 is scheduled for August 3, 2025. The IMA-JDN has urged the Union Health Ministry to direct the NBEMS to reopen the exam centre change portal so that the affected candidates can avail the option of choosing centres within their home state or nearby locations. (HT File) The move came after aspirants across the country reported being allotted exam centres in far-off states for the medical entrance test, triggering widespread distress and anxiety. Also read: NEET PG 2025 on August 3, check admit card release date With the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Postgraduate (NEET-PG) scheduled on August 3, the IMA-JDN has urged the Union Health Ministry to direct the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to reopen the exam centre change portal so that the affected candidates can avail the option of choosing centres within their home state or nearby locations. Also read: NEET PG 2025: NBEMS says it has 2 websites, 1 WhatsApp channel, warns candidates against fake ones In the representation, the IMA-JDN emphasised that while some students have received centres in nearby cities, thousands of candidates have been assigned exam centres in distant states, for which they have to undertake long, expensive, and stressful journeys to unfamiliar destinations. The doctors' body said in a statement, "This move is causing much concern, especially among the economically weaker sections, ladies, and those from remote or rural regions." Also read: NEET PG 2025 exam city slip released, admit card to be out next week "This disparity not only affects fairness but could negatively impact students' mental well-being and performance in this critical, once-a-year exam," it said. "IMA-JDN remains committed to ensuring equity and accessibility in all aspects of medical education and examination systems," the doctors' body added.
The Hindu
24-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Students and Parents' body in Puducherry demands more exam centres for NEET PG scheduled for August 3
The Pondicherry State Student and Parents' Welfare Association has urged the Union Health Ministry to designate more regional examination centres for the Postgraduate Medicine MD/MS NEET 2025-26 scheduled for August 3. In a memorandum to Abhijat Sheth, President of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, V. Bala Balasubramanian, Association president, pointed out that as per a Supreme Court directive, the NBEMS had scheduled the examination in a single shift at various centres across States. In this regard, the memorandum stated that there were very few centres for PG Medicine MD/MS NEET 2025-26 in the Union Territory of Puducherry which has a complement of about 465 seats. These seats were spread across institutions, including three private medical colleges, four deemed universities and one government medical college. In the Union Territory, more than 2,000 students have registered for the PG examination while only four centres were available — one each in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. As a result, many students have been allotted examination centres in other States, some centres located more than 1,000 km away from their hometown. The memorandum urged the authorities to facilitate additional examination centres in and around the Union Territory to enable the candidates to attend the examination in or at least nearer to their respective hometowns. In Tamil Nadu too, there were about 2,765 medical seats in government, private and deemed universities for which around 20,000 doctors have registered to write the NEET PG Medical Examination 2025-26. Even though there were 24 examination centres in Tamil Nadu, about 5,000 students have been allotted centres in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and a few other States. The Association urged the NBE to favourably consider the plea by increasing examination centres for the PG Medicine entrance examination in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry so that doctors from the region can take the exams in locations relatively closer to their hometowns. This would greatly help alleviate mental distress and inconvenience for the doctors aspiring for the PG examination, the Association said.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Six crore people screened for sickle cell disease: Health Ministry
A total of six crore individuals have been screened for sickle cell disease (SCD) against the targeted seven crore under the National Sickle Cell Mission, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Among those screened, 2.15 lakh individuals were diagnosed with the disease and 16.7 lakh carriers identified. Additionally, 2.6 crore health cards have been distributed by the respective States to the screened individuals, the Ministry said. States including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka and Uttarakhand have demonstrated significant progress by achieving a high percentage of screening relative to their targets. The highest incidence of diagnosed cases has been reported from the states of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Screening for SCD is being conducted using validated point-of-care testing (POCT) kits, which ensure rapid, reliable and confirmatory results. Furthermore, a dedicated dashboard and a sickle cell disease portal have been established to consolidate the screening data from all participating States, the Ministry said. Future priorities encompass intensifying screening efforts to meet the target and ensuring follow-up and counselling services for individuals diagnosed as diseased or carriers. The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 1, 2023 at Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh. The mission aims to eliminate sickle cell anaemia in the country by 2047 through the creation of awareness, universal screening of seven crore individuals aged 0-40 years in affected tribal areas by FY 2025-26 and a provision of counselling through collaborative efforts of Central Ministries and State governments.
United News of India
22-07-2025
- Health
- United News of India
National mission uncovers 18.85 lakh sickle cell cases
New Delhi, July 22 (UNI) The ongoing ambitious National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission has revealed a significant public health challenge, with more than 18.85 lakh individuals identified as either suffering from Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) or carrying the trait, according to the data shared by the Union Health Ministry today. As of now, six crore individuals have been screened against a target of seven crore. Sickle cell disease — also called sickle cell anemia — is a group of inherited disorders that affect hemoglobin, the major protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. Of those screened, 2.15 lakh individuals have been diagnosed with the disease, and 16.7 lakh have been identified as carriers. Health experts have flagged the numbers as concerning, especially given the chronic nature of the illness and the burden it places on affected tribal populations. A total of 2.6 crore health cards have been distributed by states to facilitate continued monitoring and support, as per the statement by the Ministry. Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand have reported remarkable progress in meeting their screening targets. However, the highest number of diagnosed cases has emerged from Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat — indicating high disease prevalence in these regions. Screening is being carried out using validated Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) kits that allow for rapid and confirmatory diagnosis. A centralised digital dashboard and SCD portal have been established to consolidate data and improve coordination among states, says the statement. The Mission, inaugurated on July 1, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, seeks to eliminate sickle cell anemia by 2047. It envisions universal screening of seven crore individuals aged 0–40 years in tribal and high-burden districts by FY 2025–26, supported by robust awareness campaigns and counselling services. Health authorities have underscored the need for intensified outreach, sustained counselling, and follow-up mechanisms for those diagnosed. The large number of affected individuals now identified underscores both the scale of the challenge and the urgency of addressing it through integrated national and state-level health systems. UNI AJ SSP
