How can tobacco control policies effectively protect young people and, at the same time, help reduce the risks for adults who continue to smoke? And how can scientific evidence be used to inform decision-making that has a meaningful impact on public health?
These questions were at the center of the 9th International Conference on Tobacco Harm Reduction (9th Summit on Tobacco Harm Reduction: Novel Products, Research & Policy), organized online by SCOHRE, with 150 participants from 43 countries.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
A key conclusion of the discussions was that smoking prevention and cessation remain fundamental public health priorities, while harm reduction can be considered a complementary approach for adults who continue to smoke. At the same time, it was emphasized that the evaluation of different nicotine products must be based on available scientific data and their risk profile, with a clear acknowledgment that nicotine is addictive and that these products are not harmless.
Professor Ignatios Economides, President of SCOHRE and of the Conference Organizing Committee, set the framework for the discussion from the outset, emphasizing that smoking prevention and cessation remain key priorities, while harm reduction should be evaluated based on scientific evidence and with the goal of achieving measurable public health outcomes.
New Developments and Challenges for Europe
Particular emphasis was placed on recent developments in Europe, at a time when important discussions are underway regarding policies on tobacco and nicotine products.
Developments in the European Parliament, both in the context of the strategy on cardiovascular diseases and the European Plan to Combat Cancer, have raised questions regarding the consistency of regulatory approaches and whether policy decisions should take into account that different products may present different risk profiles.
A significant part of the discussion also focused on the illicit trade. According to data presented by David Bird, approximately 11% of the cigarettes consumed in Europe in 2025 were illicit, with estimated tax revenue losses amounting to 22 billion euros. The speakers emphasized that tax and regulatory policies must be designed with due consideration for the risk of bolstering illicit markets.
Professor Panagiotis Liarogovas noted that taxation remains an important tool for public health policies, but it should be designed in conjunction with policies to combat illicit trade. He proposed balancing, differentiation, and enforcement as key principles, warning that large changes in the relative prices of legal and illicit products could have unintended consequences. As he aptly noted, “Tax policy and anti-illicit trade policy should not be designed in separate rooms.”
An analysis by We Are Innovation was also presented, covering approximately 82,000 submissions to the European Commission’s public consultation on the legislative framework for tobacco products. According to the organization’s analysis, 91% of the submissions examined included at least one serious objection to the proposed direction, while it was noted that some submissions called for stricter regulations.
The Cost of Smoking and the Importance of Prevention
The Conference also highlighted the broader economic dimension of smoking. Its impacts, as noted, are not limited to health but also affect productivity, public spending, and economic growth. In this context, prevention must be viewed as a long-term investment in public health.
Special mention was also made of the importance of trust and risk communication. In his closing remarks at the conference, Peter M. Sandman pointed out that scientific data alone are not enough to change entrenched perceptions. Transparency, acknowledging existing concerns and uncertainties, external oversight, and data accessibility are critical prerequisites for building trust.
As the conference concluded, the key message that emerged was clear: public policy must be based on scientific evidence, take into account differences in risk, acknowledge existing uncertainties, and adapt as new evidence emerges. The goal remains to protect young people, reduce the burden of smoking, and achieve better public health outcomes.
For more information: www.nosmokesummit.org
