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The first of our two science-focussed parallel sessions will be hosted by Dr. Ian Fearon, an independent consultant with 18 years of experience working in tobacco harm reduction and has broad expertise in regulatory and scientific aspects of nicotine and tobacco products. |
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Joining Dr. Fearon as panellists will be: Dr. Arielle Selya, a behavioural science consultant specialising in tobacco harm reduction Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos, MD, MPH, PhD, physician, public health expert and research associate at the University of Patras and the University of West Attica in Greece, and Libby Clarke, the Scientific Substantiation and Engagement Lead at Imperial Brands
Describing the session, Dr. Fearon says: “Barriers to the marketing of novel tobacco and nicotine products, such as regulatory bans and restrictions, pose an existential threat to Tobacco Harm Reduction and improving the health and lives of adult smokers. This workshop will take a dive into assessing the science base used to drive restrictions, focussing on several themes which are commonly used to push for stronger regulation or outright prohibition and presenting scientific counterarguments.” |
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‘Do smoke-free product/flavour bans work?’ |
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Dr. Mohamadi Sarkar will be the host of our second science-focussed parallel session at GFN26. Dr. Sarkar leads a team of scientists within Regulatory Affairs at Altria. |
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Joining Dr. Sarkar as panellists will be Marina Murphy, Evan Winiger, Ryan Seltzer, and Jagannath Sarangapani. |
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Speaking on the subject of the session, Dr. Sarkar said: “More than a billion adults globally smoke combustible cigarettes. The harm caused can be reduced, if individuals switch completely to smoke-free products. Availability of a wide range of options, including product formats, inhalable and oral, as well as flavour varieties can accelerate their switching journey. However, access to such products is being restricted by either outright bans or restricting flavour options. |
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“Whilst aimed at preventing use of such products by underage individuals, this process overlooks the needs of adults who smoke. This session will focus on a rigorous, evidence-based evaluation of whether product/flavour bans achieve the objective of reducing youth use of smoke-free products, without undermining adult smokers’ access to effective switching options.” |
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To everybody who submitted videos to GFN Science Lab - Thank you! GFN has always been committed to the science supporting harm reduction and we are overwhelmed with your enthusiasm for it too. |
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Information regarding the four related GFN26 sessions will be announced in our newsletter over the coming weeks. |
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Introducing our media partner – RegWatch |
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RegWatch is a Vancouver-based online media platform covering the regulation of safer nicotine products in North America, the UK, and beyond. Prolific doesn’t begin to cover it as RegWatch has produced over 600 episodes, featuring interviews with top scientists, researchers, and regulatory officials, since 2015. |
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RegWatch is fronted by the ever-engaging Brent Stafford, a veteran television news producer and prolific digital media entrepreneur / content creator. He started his career 25 years ago as a CBC Television news reporter in British Columbia, Canada, and is a seasoned political columnist. |
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GFN26 takes place at The Warsaw Presidential Hotel (former Warsaw Marriott Hotel), al. Jerozolimskie 65/79, 00-697 Warszawa, Poland. |
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A special GFN26 rate is available, enabling you to be close to the conference action and facilitate networking – but only if you book before the deadline of May 4, 2026. |
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The special GFN rate applies for bookings of any duration between the dates of Monday, June 1 and Sunday, June 7, 2026. |
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Until our next newsletter, keep an eye out for programme updates and have a wonderful week.
The GFN26 team. |
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