The 12th E-Cigarette Summit UK, set to take place on December 5, 2024, at the prestigious Royal College of Physicians in London, coincides with a pivotal moment in British public health policy.
The government has reintroduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which seeks to grant additional powers to modify the regulation and supply of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and other forms of nicotine. While the goal is clear—reducing or eliminating tobacco consumption—the role that e-cigarettes and other nicotine products play in this objective remains a controversial and hotly debated topic.
The E-Cigarette Summit 2024 in the UK will bring together a prominent group of experts renowned in the fields of tobacco addiction, public health, and regulatory policies. The event will focus on the latest research, public policy challenges, and regulatory approaches surrounding e-cigarettes, with a structure promising to deliver an in-depth analysis of these products’ scientific, health, and legislative aspects. Below is a summary of the key speakers and sessions.
Summit Chair: Prof. Ann McNeill — A world-renowned figure in tobacco addiction research, Professor McNeill holds a prominent position at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. Her leadership will steer the events’ discussions, setting the pace for a debate that confronts evidence with critical reflection.
Session 1: Context, Evidence, and Governmental Challenges
- Prof. Peter Selby (Keynote Address) – Giblon Chair and Vice-President of Research in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. A renowned researcher, Selby will provide a broad perspective on the global context of e-cigarette research.
- Richard Boden is the deputy director of tobacco and vaping policy and legislation at OHID, Department of Health and Social Care. Boden will discuss the current legislative landscape in the UK regarding vaping and tobacco.
- Prof. Jamie Brown – Professor at University College London (UCL), specializing in behavioral and health sciences. Brown will offer an evidence-based perspective on smoking cessation.
- Dr. Nicola Lindson – Associate Professor at the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine at the University of Oxford. Dr. Lindson will focus her presentation on clinical trials related to tobacco cessation.
- Prof. Alan Boobis, OBE – Emeritus Professor of Toxicology and Chair of the UK Committee on Toxicity at Imperial College London. With extensive experience in public health risks related to nicotine, Boobis will provide critical insights into the effects of tobacco products.
- Prof. Sanjay Agrawal – Professor of Respiratory Science at the Institute for Lung Health, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, and special advisor on tobacco issues for the Royal College of Physicians. Agrawal will discuss the health impacts of tobacco use and the policies aimed at mitigating them.
Session 2: Research to Inform Public Health Policy
- Dr. Jasmine Khouja – Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, will present the latest studies on e-cigarette use among young people and its implications.
- Martin Dockrell – Tobacco Control Program Lead at the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). Dockrell will be key in understanding the UK’s public health strategies concerning vaping and smoking.
- Dr. Tom Freeman – Director of the Addiction and Mental Health Group at the University of Bath. Freeman will explore the implications of nicotine consumption on mental health.
- Dr. Sharon Cox – Senior Researcher at UCL. Cox will focus on the intersections between tobacco and alcohol use, an area of growing interest in public health.
- Dr. Eve Taylor and Dr. Katie East – Researchers in the Nicotine Research Group at King’s College London. Both will contribute their expertise on the psychological and social aspects of nicotine use.
Session 3: Regulatory Challenges and Potential Solutions
- Hazel Cheeseman – Executive Director of ASH (Action on Smoking & Health). Cheeseman will discuss public health strategies and the crucial role of advocacy in tobacco control.
- Kate Pike – Senior Tobacco and Vaping Officer at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. Pike will analyze the complex regulatory landscape surrounding vaping products.
- Craig Copland – Head of E-Cigarettes at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Copland will provide a detailed view of product safety regulations.
- Prof. Coral Gartner – Professor at the School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Australia. Gartner will offer an international perspective on regulatory approaches.
- Ben Youdan and Pablo Cano Trilla – Youdan, from ASH New Zealand, and Cano Trilla, from ECigIntelligence, will provide a global outlook on legal frameworks and market trends.
Session 4: Challenges in Eliminating Smoking
- Prof. Kenneth Warner – Emeritus Professor and former Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan. Warner will address the broader challenges in the global fight to eradicate smoking.
- Dr. Alexandria Andrayas – Senior Research Associate at Cancer Research UK. Andrayas will present evidence on preventing tobacco-related cancer.
- Jeff Weiss – Is a Writer, commentator, and former director of engagement at NJOY. Weiss will provide a personal and commercial perspective on the e-cigarette industry.
- Clive Bates – Director of Counterfactual Consulting Ltd., will discuss harm reduction strategies to minimize the consequences of smoking.
- Prof. Robert Beaglehole – Emeritus Professor at the University of Auckland and Chair of ASH New Zealand. Beaglehole will outline the Smokefree 2025 initiative, a key element of New Zealand’s strategy.
- Ailsa Rutter – (Closing Keynote), Director of Fresh and Balance, will conclude the event with reflections on the future of tobacco and vaping control policies.
This impressive group of experts promises to offer a deep and multifaceted perspective on the scientific challenges, regulatory complexities, and public health strategies that will shape the future of e-cigarettes both in the UK and internationally. Full details are available on the Summit’s website: www.e-cigarette-summit.co.uk.