Global Forum on Nicotine 2025

GSTHR Roadshow (RU+EN with simultaneous translation)

MEET THE REGION

This session presents an overview of smoking and nicotine use across selected EECA countries, highlighting national patterns, public health responses, and local challenges. It sets the stage for regional learning by showcasing the diversity of experiences and the need for tailored strategies.

(ES with simultaneous translation into EN)

GSTHR Roadshow (RU+EN with simultaneous translation)

LEARN FROM OTHERS

Experts and practitioners share insights into effective approaches to nicotine use, dependence, and cessation, including work with vulnerable groups and people who use drugs. The session introduces practical tools and perspectives to support harm reduction and strengthen health services.

(ES with simultaneous translation into EN)

GSTHR Roadshow (RU+EN with simultaneous translation)

SHARING REFLECTIONS

Teams present their proposed actions and reflect on their significance, feasibility, and impact. The session fosters cross-country exchange and collective thinking on how to advance tobacco harm reduction in the region.

Mark will explore the lessons he has learned from the drug harm reduction movement, not least the way stigma experienced by people who use drugs, and moral judgements about drug-taking affect policy and political decision making. Consumer advocates and tobacco harm reduction campaigners face significant challenges engaging lawmakers and public health organisations, including structural opposition to safer nicotine products. How can we convince those in power that this consumer-led public health revolution can lead to real-world change?

Examining external communication challenges consumers encounter in their advocacy work, the workshop will focus on amplifying consumer experience, sharing tried and tested tactics for engaging with, and responding to, external discussions about safer nicotine products. It will help equip advocates with the skills to target their messaging to a broad range of stakeholders, including public health professionals, regulators and the general public.

Achieving consensus in debates around tobacco harm reduction is rare. This workshop will explore how we can effectively build consensus in academic discussions around safer nicotine products, and correct misconceptions about tobacco harm reduction, using the Delphi Approach, a structured communications process. After short introductory remarks, participants will engage in group discussions using Delphi techniques and concepts, finishing with a Q&A and a look towards its future applications.

GFN is driven by the latest science and evidence. The Science Lab provides the opportunity for the presentation of lab-based research, epidemiological research, modelling, market research on consumer behaviour, discussing results – or expected results – of studies. Each presenter is given 15 minutes – including the time to show a five minute video – to present and discuss their work.

Despite its aim to reduce global consumption of cigarettes, the impact of the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on tobacco use has been heavily contested, particularly in relation to low-income countries. The panel will assess the effectiveness of the convention as it reaches its 20th anniversary, and highlight areas that need drastic change, if it is to have any future relevance in reducing smoking.

Spanish language session with simultaneous English translation

How can scientists and users overcome obstacles and censorship when communicating the principles of harm reduction to the general public and regulators? What strategies could enhance effective and understandable communication?

Examining available evidence on the net public health impact of incorporating tobacco harm reduction principles in policymaking, participants will discuss the challenges and opportunities to leverage tobacco harm reduction approaches to achieve LMIC public health goals. The aim is to identify the top three priorities as a takeaway for key stakeholders in the audience.

GFN is driven by the latest science and evidence. The Science Lab provides the opportunity for the presentation of lab-based research, epidemiological research, modelling, market research on consumer behaviour, discussing results – or expected results – of studies. Each presenter is given 15 minutes – including the time to show a five minute video – to present and discuss their work.

The inter-active workshop will examine ways advocates might facilitate conversations about public messaging, media engagement and ways to address familiar challenges for THR. Panellists will be there to listen, learn and respond, as well as presenting their own insights and recommendations.

In Sweden, the combination of snus and the emergence and uptake of pouches were likely key to its unparalleled achievement of smoke-free status, in November 2024. Despite these positive signs, regulators are circling, particularly in Europe, with bans either in force or planned in several member states. The panel will explore the science and evidence for pouches and discuss what steps need to be implemented to ensure proportionate and effective regulation.

Jacob will highlight how, despite positive gains made by advocates for drug harm reduction, tobacco harm reductionists face an uphill battle to be heard, let alone get the evidence across. From outdated media narratives to prohibitionist policies and their consequences, he will guide us through the current state of THR and tobacco control messaging, and help advocates create compelling narratives that share the evidence underpinning THR.

Flavours have been a focal point of the debate about safer nicotine products, with calls to ban or restrict flavours often receiving significant media coverage. This workshop will however highlight the growing evidence supporting the use of flavours in smoking cessation and explore changing attitudes to these products and the challenges regulators face in creating risk-proportionate legislation.

GFN is driven by the latest science and evidence. The Science Lab provides the opportunity for the presentation of lab-based research, epidemiological research, modelling, market research on consumer behaviour, discussing results – or expected results – of studies. Each presenter is given 15 minutes – including the time to show a five minute video – to present and discuss their work.

The workshop will assist participants to build a repertoire of low-cost and high-impact strategies, which can be used to spread awareness about tobacco harm reduction and safer nicotine products. Guided by real-world knowledge gathered from successful advocacy campaigns and consumer-focused initiatives, it will equip advocates with the necessary skills to sway hearts and minds in the THR debate.

Panellists will use their expertise in the recent regulatory developments of some key markets to shed light on broader principles. How can regulation support innovation and offer consumers choice at the same time as safeguarding public health? Do producers and consumers want the same things? Panellists will discuss the risks of over- or under-regulation and the growth of illicit markets, and the discussion will examine how effective regulation can drive investment, support the shift away from combustible tobacco and encourage harm reduction, also drawing lessons from other industries.

GFN is driven by the latest science and evidence. The Science Lab provides the opportunity for the presentation of lab-based research, epidemiological research, modelling, market research on consumer behaviour, discussing results – or expected results – of studies. Each presenter is given 15 minutes – including the time to show a five minute video – to present and discuss their work.

In social media posts, official speeches, press releases and memorandums, WHO has repeatedly made claims which appear to contradict the evidence available, and which conflict with statements made by reputable public health institutions. Simply condemning the WHO’s science on tobacco harm reduction is not going to shift the dial. The panel will investigate the WHO’s science on THR, and address the organisation’s concerns, bringing objectivity and evidence to bear.

A consumer advocates’ approach, cutting through the noise to deliver factually accurate information about safer nicotine products is a constant struggle. Maria will present a ‘real-world how-to guide’, drawn from the lived experience of consumer advocates, identifying some useful tools to counter vaping and THR misinformation.

Extending THR into other disciplines and communities, is essential. Obvious targets are in the fields of drug use and mental health - evidence is clear concerning levels of smoking and associated health risks - but there is need to engage more widely. The panel will address the barriers to extending reach, including how can we dispel myths and tackle miscommunication? What role does the media have in the process? Who are the key opinion leaders and groups, what are the initial steps in reaching out and how can we support ongoing dialogue?

The media play a key role in shaping debates around THR. It is essential that information they communicate is accurate and reflects science and evidence. Misinformation and the impact it can have on consumers, and public health generally, is something we should avoid. A lack of knowledge, expertise and time to verify information provided – often by NGOs that allege to be working on behalf of public health – can lead to damaging narratives that serve nobody’s interest. How can we foster positive relationships with media to represent THR accurately and challenge those who seek to undermine it?