Session Abstracts | Global Forum on Nicotine 2022

Panel Discussion - Science: Orthodoxy, Challenges and Dissent

Why does it appear to be impossible to conduct a proper, reasoned and scientific debate about the effectiveness of safer nicotine products in encouraging smokers to switch from a proven dangerous alternative?

We ask panellists, in both their pre-recorded presentations and in their contributions to the live discussions during the session, to focus on ‘roadblocks’ they see as important to address. Reflections from their own personal experience in this space are welcome. Some possible issues might be:

Is the division between tobacco control and tobacco harm reduction an issue of science or of dominance of ideological narratives?
How can we move on from a situation where, in increasing numbers, ad hominem attacks have replaced scientific critique?
Does mainstream media reporting of safer nicotine products deflect attention from proper scientific investigation?
What effect is the ‘no platforming’ of those with opposing views to the existing orthodoxy having on the debate?
Are consumers, who are so often ignored, the ‘collateral damage’ in this debate?

Up to seven days before the live event, the pre-recorded videos provided by each panellist will be made available online to the audience, who will be encouraged to watch them in advance of the live discussions.

Panellists are encouraged to highlight just 2-3 issues (maximum) in their pre-recorded presentations. Pre-recorded presentations longer than the ten minute limit will not be accepted for broadcast.

Important Remark

We anticipate 40 minutes for the discussion, with questions from the session hosts and from the live and online audience.

Session #3

Panel Discussion - Who Uses Nicotine and Why?

This session will draw on our panellists’ varied and extensive expertise for a thought-provoking, ‘grown-up’ discussion about who uses nicotine, in its various forms, and why.

We ask panellists, in both their pre-recorded presentations and in their contributions to the live discussions during the session, to focus on the aspects they see as important to address. Some possible areas for discussion might be:

Why do people use nicotine – dependence, performance, self-medication, and/or pleasure?
Who is using safer nicotine products?
How do people use nicotine?
What is the role of nicotine in marginalised and vulnerable populations?
Has the COVID pandemic had an effect on how people use nicotine?
Many in the tobacco control community are concerned by ‘dual use’. Is this a reasonable concern?
Are concerns about youth use justified? Must young people smoke before they can use less risky alternatives?
Are flavours and choice intrinsic to the success of safer nicotine products?
What is the future for nicotine? Emerging nicotine products and future consumer behaviour.

Up to seven days before the live event, the pre-recorded videos provided by each panellist will be made available online to the audience, who will be encouraged to watch them in advance of the live discussions.

Panellists are encouraged to highlight just 2-3 issues (maximum) in their pre-recorded presentations. Pre-recorded presentations longer than the ten minute limit will not be accepted for broadcast.

Important Remark

We anticipate 40 minutes for the discussion, with questions from the session hosts and from the live and online audience.

Session #7

Panel Discussion - Obstacles to Tobacco Harm Reduction in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs)

This session will examine the issues surrounding tobacco harm reduction in LMICs and why smokers in LMICs are being denied the opportunity to access safer nicotine products.

We ask panellists, in both their pre-recorded presentations and in their contributions to the live discussions during the session, to focus on the ‘roadblocks’ they see as important to address. Some possible areas for discussion might be:

What kinds of SNP are needed in low-income countries?
What are the experiences from countries where attempts have been made to introduce safer nicotine products? Successes and failures.
What influence are global philanthropists having on local tobacco control and government policies?
Is the SNP industry only interested in sales in high income countries?
Is the FCTC failing LMICs? • Has the WHO MPOWER programme failed LMICs?
What can be done to address the paucity of research in LMICs? How can countries regulate effectively without accurate data on smoking rates and tobacco control and THR interventions?

Up to seven days before the live event, the pre-recorded videos provided by each panellist will be made available online to the audience, who will be encouraged to watch them in advance of the live discussions.

Panellists are encouraged to highlight just 2-3 issues (maximum) in their pre-recorded presentations. Pre-recorded presentations longer than the ten minute limit will not be accepted for broadcast.

Important Remark

We anticipate 40 minutes for the discussion, with questions from the session hosts and from the live and online audience.

Session #8

Panel Discussion: Safer Nicotine Product Regulation: Supporting or Undermining the End of Smoking?

This session will look at the broad issues surrounding regulation and whether it is a hindrance or a benefit for the consumer.

We ask panellists, in both their pre-recorded presentations and in their contributions to the live discussions during the session, to focus on the ‘roadblocks’ they see as important to address. Some possible areas for discussion might be:

What are the common success and failures of regulation for safer nicotine products?
What should good regulation look like? What problems should it address? Can regulations maximise the potential for safer nicotine products?
Should safer nicotine products be included in an international tobacco control framework?
What issues are likely to be on the agenda for FCTC-COP9? Can COP be modernised?
Tobacco control discourse has moved away from a focus on smoking to tobacco and nicotine – what implications does this have for regulation?

Up to seven days before the live event, the pre-recorded videos provided by each panellist will be made available online to the audience, who will be encouraged to watch them in advance of the live discussions.

Panellists are encouraged to highlight just 2-3 issues (maximum) in their pre-recorded presentations. Pre-recorded presentations longer than the ten minute limit will not be accepted for broadcast.

Important Remark

We anticipate 40 minutes for the discussion, with questions from the session hosts and from the live and online audience.