Highlighting the need for science-based NGP regulation at GTNF 2020

Imperial Brands is taking part in the 2020 edition of the Global Tobacco & Nicotine Forum (GTNF), an annual global platform for an exchange of views and ideas about the future of the tobacco and nicotine industries.

For the first time, due to the implications of COVID-19, this year’s GTNF is a virtual event with content spanning three time zones to accommodate a global audience. Beginning today and closing on 24 September, it features a range of speakers and panel sessions based on the broad theme of ‘Sustainable Change through Innovation & Regulation’.

Imperial Brands Science will host a virtual stand throughout the event, outlining the role of tobacco harm reduction science in our Next Generation Product (NGP) development and shining the light on our vape (blu), heated tobacco (Pulze) and tobacco-free oral nicotine (zoneX / Skruf) products.

Tomorrow (September 22) Group Science & Regulatory Affairs Director Joe Thompson will take part in a panel discussion on scientific and policy perspectives.

He said: “We firmly believe NGP regulation shouldn’t be modelled on existing tobacco product regulation, as this fails to consider the vital role NGPs are increasingly playing in many countries across the world in helping to facilitate the public health concept of tobacco harm reduction.

“At a time when research shows adult smoker confidence in NGP is faltering, manufacturers and regulators should work together to ensure the regulation of any scientifically-substantiated NGP is based on mandatory compliance with high product quality, manufacturing and safety standards to build consumer trust.

“This will not only help build consumer belief and confidence, but ultimately contribute to better population level health outcomes by accelerating conversion to potentially harm reduced alternatives to combustible tobacco.”

On Thursday (September 24) Kim Reed, Executive Vice President of Sales at our US subsidiary ITG Brands, will take part in a panel discussion on diversity in the industry.

For more information on our tobacco harm reduction science, visit our standalone Science website at www.imperialbrandsscience.com

Find for more information on this year’s GTNF, visit www.gtnf.org