The GFN audience does not need persuading of tobacco harm reduction’s (THR) potential to improve the lives of people who smoke. But that recognition is far from universal, even among those we might consider ‘natural allies’. That’s why our panel discussion, ‘Who else should be in the room?’, on Saturday 21 June, is such an important part of the conference programme.

The session will consider how to extend the reach of THR, identifying which communities and related professional disciplines would benefit most from engaging with the approach. The evidence is clear on disproportionate levels of smoking and risky tobacco use among people who use drugs, who have poor mental health and who are incarcerated or homeless. Unfortunately, these people and the professionals who support them are as subject to the myths and misconceptions about THR as anyone else. This also applies to policymakers and health professionals in low and middle income countries (LMIC), home to 80 per cent of the global population who smoke.

Who are the key opinion leaders - both advocates and professionals - we need to connect with? What are the first steps in this process, and how do we nurture an ongoing dialogue? How can we address misunderstandings about THR and instead evidence the benefits? All these questions and more will be up for discussion by the panel and delegates.

The session host is Martin Cawley, who brings insights and experience from managing a wide range of health, social and voluntary organisations. Our panelists are: Adriana Curado, a harm reduction professional who has delivered THR interventions for people who use drugs and are homeless in Lisbon; Garrett McGovern, physician and Medical Director of the Priority Medical Clinic, a drug treatment programme in South County Dublin; Michael Stoney, Prison Governor at Scotland’s largest prison, whose leadership has seen vapes in place as a safer alternative to tobacco since 2019; and Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, a public health physician and President of Malaysia's Society of Harm Reduction, who advises LMIC governments on health and tobacco control issues.

You’ve been diligently submitting your entries for the GFN25 Film and Photo Festivals (thank you!) and so you’ll no doubt want to know when we’ll reveal the competition winners! The Film and Photo Festival Award Ceremonies will take place live at 15:45 on Friday 20 June during the GFN25 conference in Warsaw, where our expert judges will reveal the winners of the $500 grand prizes. Check out the GFN25 online programme for more details about the Film Festival screenings and Awards Ceremonies.

See you all next week,



The GFN25 Team