GFN News

GFN News #152 | PAKISTAN'S TOBACCO CONTROL PROBLEM | Can Pakistan get on track with tobacco harm reduction? by GFN.TV

Dr. Derek Yach, a lead architect of the WHO’s global tobacco control treaty, reflects on how harm reduction was sidelined by institutional inertia, donor pressure, and deep-rooted distrust. He calls for renewed scientific dialogue, greater nicotine literacy, and an end to the moral panic that falsely equates nicotine with smoking. Despite resistance from the top, consumers are leading the charge b...

Building on the strength of its popular Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship programme, Knowledge•Action•Change's brand new foundational course 'Understanding Tobacco Harm Reduction' is a free-to-use educational platform designed to help advocates expand their knowledge base. Joining us today to highlight this key new resource is one of its key authors, Chimwemwe Ngoma of KAC! Link to the e-course:...

Vaping has been shown to be 95% safer than smoking, but what do the chemistry of vapor and smoke, and the key differences between them, tell us about WHY these products are so different? Joining us again for the fourth part of our vaping science series is astrophysicist Roberto Sussman, who expertly explains the science behind vaping!

Despite the growing use of safer nicotine being strongly associated with declining smoking rates, there is still systemic opposition to these products from institutions and NGOs - but why is this the case? In this episode Lindsey Stroud joins us to unpack the FDA's reluctance to approve new nicotine products, and the misinformation used to prop up the opposition to THR.

New research reveals governments are taxing safer nicotine products like cigarettes, sabotaging tobacco harm reduction and blocking smokers from switching. Correcting these policies could accelerate global declines in smoking. Featuring: GIORGI MZHAVANADZE Economist, K•A•C https://www.linkedin.com/in/mzhavanadze/

In the third episode of our science special, Roberto Sussman looks at the thermal processes that take place in vaporisation, and the impact different solvents have on the vaporisation temperature of e-liquids.

In this episode Will Godfrey highlights the interconnected links between Vietnam's recent vape ban and the influence of Bloomberg-funded entities, and how the well-funded opposition to tobacco harm reduction influences vape restrictions across the globe.

In the second part of our science special, Roberto Sussman takes us through the fundamental physics of vape aerosols to help explain the difference between cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapor!

In 2016, PMI pledged to transition the company away from cigarette sales - and almost ten years later, they've made progress towards their promise. But instead of celebrating as 40% of PMI's business goes smoke-free, many in tobacco control would rather stand in the way. Why is that? And can anything be done to change their minds? Featuring: TOMMASO DI GIOVANNI Vice President Communications & Enga...

Sweden's tobacco harm reduction success story has failed to win over Europe's politicians and regulators, with a new nicotine pouch tax rumoured to be in the works. Will the real-world impact of nicotine pouches in reducing smoking rates convince law makers to change their minds? Joining us today is Stefan Mathisson, editor-in-chief of Vejpkollen, who will walk us through the rapid rise of nicotin...

The science of e-cigarette aerosols is complex, but is key to understanding the relative safety of safer nicotine products compared with combustible tobacco. To shed some light on the chemistry of vape aerosols, as well as how they compare tobacco smoke, we're joined today by research physicist Roberto Sussman!

Bulgaria has been embroiled in debate about a potential vape ban, including proposals to target disposable vapes. Arkadi Sarkov shines a light on the situation in Bulgaria, including the impact a disposable vape ban could have on a developing illicit market and the knock-on effect such a ban may have on vapers in the country.

What’s it like to fight for vaping in a world hostile to tobacco harm reduction? Advocate Skip Murray opens up about the soul-crushing closure of her vape shop, the rise of media scare tactics, and why she believes kindness—not outrage—is the key to saving lives. Featuring: SKIP MURRAY Volunteer Public Health Advocate THR Advocate, Former Vape Shop Owner @imaracingmom skipscorner.substack.com

The gateway effect is often cited by opponents of safer nicotine products as a cautionary tale about the risks of nicotine use: that young people who use nicotine are more likely to initiate smoking. However a recent study has found key evidence that indicates this is not the case. Joining us today is Will Godfrey, editor-in-chief at Filter magazine, joins us to discuss this study and its implicat...

Could Chile's new progressive approach to safer products win over Argentina? Despite its prohibitionist stance over the past decade, Argentinian advocates are hopeful that there is room for change. To explore the divergent policies of these South American neighbours is Federico Fernández, CEO of We Are Innovation.

Chile's latest vaping bill has been met with cautious optimism from consumer advocates - but what does it actually contain? Ignacio Leiva joins us to elaborate on Chile's regulatory makeover, and what this means for vapers in the country!

Are vaping studies destined to fail? Research on e-cigarette health effects often includes former smokers—skewing results and misleading the public. Dr. Arielle Selya explores why flawed study designs, academic incentives, and NIH funding pressures shape the science on vaping and tobacco harm reduction. Featuring: DR. ARIELLE SELYA Behavioural Scientist, PinneyAssociates Consultant, CoEHAR @Ariell...

In the wake of a major vaping regulation overhaul in France, Claude Bamberger joins us to uncover the extent of the new disposable vape ban and where this leaves people who want to quit smoking.

In this very special episode we're joined by Jessica Harding, Programme Director of this year's Global Forum on Nicotine conference! We unpack the A-list lineup of guest speakers, plenaries and much much more that you can expect at #GFN25 which takes place 19 - 21 June 2025.

Mystery surrounds South Africa's upcoming budget announcement, with fiscal policies regarding vapes and tobacco products likely under scrutiny. But with little concrete information available, wihat could change in the coming weeks? Kurt Yeo joins us on GFN News to explore these regulatory changes and South Africa's current problematic approach to safer nicotine products.

The World Health Organization refuses to debate tobacco harm reduction, but why? In this episode of GFN Interviews, former WHO official Professor Tikki Pang exposes how the WHO’s anti-vaping stance misleads governments and fuels misinformation. He calls out the organization for cherry-picking data, ignoring real-world evidence, and prioritizing ideology over science. Featuring: PROF. TIKKI PANG Fo...

New Zealand's acceptance of safer nicotine products has spearheaded an unprecedented drop in smoking rates in its indigenous communities - can its neighbour Australia leaern a thing or two from New Zealand's success? In this latest episode of GFN News Will Godfrey joins us to highlight a recent paper by Colin Mendelsohn exploring New Zealand's plummeting smoking rates.

Belgium has become the first country in Europe to ban disposable vapes, but will this actually have an impact on youth vaping rates, or will it just reduce access to safer nicotine products for millions of adults who smoke in Belgium? Joining us today is Alberto Gómez Hernández, Policy Manager at the World Vapers' Alliance, to dissect Belgium's vaping crackdown and the impact this could have on ad...

GFN News #138 | EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIAN SPECIAL PART TWO | Featuring Giorgi Mzhavanadze by GFN.TV