STOP at WCTC

Meet us at the World Conference on Tobacco Control 2025

See STOP’s presentations at the conference:

Monday | Tuesday | WednesdayVisual AbstractsE-Posters


Visit Our Booths

 

  • Tobacco Control Research Group, University of Bath: Floor 2, B2508

  • Vital Strategies: Floor 1, A2504


Monday, June 23

Blocking tobacco industry tactics to appear credible

Liffey A, 02:15 PM – 03:15 PM

STOP Speaker: Dr. Britta K. Matthes

Industries’ response to tobacco product endgame and nicotine product restrictions: the case of the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill

 

 

STOP Speaker: Yayne Hailu, MPH

Exposing the tobacco industry’s exploitation of disadvantaged communities: A campaign to address inequity in tobacco control

Exposing tobacco companies’ influence on the global harm reduction narrative

Liffey B: 04:45 PM – 05:30 PM

STOP Speaker: Emma Green, MPH

The tobacco industry aggressively markets e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches and other emerging tobacco and nicotine products as healthier alternatives to smoking. By claiming that these products are a solution for smokers who can’t quit, they can gain credibility among policymakers. But vapes and other next-generation nicotine delivery devices represent just the latest iteration of the industry’s decades-long effort to cast a positive light on dangerous and highly addictive products. Tobacco companies are redefining the term “harm reduction” in a way compatible with their profit-driven strategy to sell more of their products. They have narrowed the meaning of what harm reduction is to suit their commercial and vested interests.


Tuesday, June 24

Countering tobacco industry interference in tobacco taxation in tobacco-producing countries

Wicklow Meeting Room 1, 08:00 AM – 08:45 AM

STOP Speaker: Dr. Zaineb Sheikh 

This satellite session offers a platform for tobacco control advocates, civil societies, academics, and governments to network and to discuss effective strategies countering tobacco industry interference in tobacco taxation, such as in policymaking and pricing tactics. We will focus on the unique needs and contexts of tobacco-producing countries with a strong presence and influence of the tobacco industries, highlighting experiences, challenges, and successes from Indonesia and Brazil. Given the nature of transnational tobacco companies’ global operation, this event also aims to identify the role of FCTC, governments and civil societies in high-income countries in supporting tobacco taxation implementation in the global south, making it more sustainable and impactful to the vulnerable population.

Tobacco industry influence on science: How has it evolved and what further solutions are needed?

Liffey A, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

STOP Speakers: Professor Anna Gilmore, Dr. Sophie Braznell, Dr. Tess Legg

While the tobacco industry argues its decades-long manipulation of science is consigned to history, evidence to the contrary is mounting. This symposium gathers experts from the fields of tobacco control and the commercial determinants of health to achieve two aims. First, we will outline how the industry historically sought to undermine science and how this continues in the present, despite safeguards implemented to protect science. Second, through presentation of a concrete intervention and an in-depth discussion between global experts, we will explore ways forward to ensure science functions for the public good.

What are the considerations for a truly ‘global’ tobacco endgame?

Wicklow Hall 1: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

STOP Speaker: Dr. Britta K. Matthes

A growing number of countries have set tobacco endgame targets to reduce smoking prevalence to 5% by a certain year or phase out smoking in younger generations. While most of these are high-income countries in Europe, North America or Australasia, a number of low- and middle-income countries in other world regions, notably in Africa, Latin America and Asia, may be well-positioned for a tobacco endgame due to their low smoking rates and advanced tobacco control measures. In this symposium, we discuss global progress in the tobacco endgame and the considerations for making the global tobacco endgame more inclusive.

Harnessing digital tools and AI for monitoring tobacco marketing and strengthening policy responses

Liffey B, 04:45 PM – 05:45 PM

STOP Speaker: Yayne Hailu, MPH

This session examines persistent digital tobacco marketing tactics, and the policies needed to counter them. Presentations will cover covert e-cigarette marketing on Chinese social media, influencer-driven youth targeting in Brazil, and algorithmic strategies aimed at online news readers in Indonesia. The session highlights how civil society-led media monitoring systems, powered by AI, drive community action and shape policy responses. Attendees will gain actionable insights to address the challenges posed by digital tobacco marketing and promote more effective regulatory measures.


Wednesday, June 25

Heated tobacco products: An evidence update

Liffey B, 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM

STOP Speakers: Jorge Alday, MSc, Dr. Sophie Braznell, Professor Anna Gilmore

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are growing in popularity worldwide. This is partly attributable to the tobacco industry’s claims that HTPs are less harmful than cigarettes. Their novelty, design, and aggressive marketing have presented regulatory challenges in many countries. The objective of this session is to update the tobacco control community on the current state of evidence on HTPs to support a path forward for Tobacco Control. We will deep-dive into available clinical research on the health effects of HTPs, as well as highlight the latest strategies employed by the tobacco industry to market HTPs and seek favourable regulation.


Visual Abstracts

Monday, 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Retailers in store and social media marketing mix of electronic cigarettes in Indonesia

STOP Presenter: Putu Ayu Swandewi Astuti, MD, PhD, MPH

Foxy Five: Demystifying bidi industry tactics in India

STOP Grantee: Pritha Das

Health, livelihood and governance issues around bidi rolling in India: a tale of two states

STOP Grantee: Pritha Das

Understanding Bidi industry diversification and transformation in South Asia

STOP Grantee: Pritha Das

Taming tobacco and nicotine retail environments? Industry tactics and innovative solutions to protect youth

STOP Presenter: Hussein Faeq

The smoke of war: tobacco in conflict zones

STOP Presenter: Tom Gatehouse

Flue-cured tobacco: an unnecessary hazard to human health and the environment

STOP Presenter: Dr. Rosemary Hiscock

Environmental degradation linked to tobacco factories nearby the residential areas of Bangladesh

STOP Presenter: Fahmida Islam

Industry transformers: ‘Ryze’ of the nicotine beasts in India

STOP Presenter: Dr. Shivam Kapoor

Trajectories and chutzpah of WHO-FCTC Article 5.3 policy in India: Enablers in policy processes

STOP Presenter: Dr. Shivam Kapoor

Mapping the conflict-of-interest legal regime towards countermeasures against tobacco industry interference in the Philippines

STOP Grantee: Allan Chester Nadate

How tobacco companies denormalise CSR activities: unveiling their intentions

STOP Presenter: Dr. Huong Nguyen

Examining cigarette, heated tobacco, and e-cigarette market pricing and tax pass-through in Ukraine during the 2019-2022 tax reforms

STOP Presenter: Dr. Zaineb Sheikh

Examining the media contribution to enforce Market Retail Price (MRP) on cigarette packages in Bangladesh

STOP Grantee: Sushanta Kumar Singha


Moderated E-Posters

Tuesday, Level 3 Foyer, 12:40 PM – 01:40 PM

The impact of tobacco sponsorship in Formula One: Subverting TAPS bans and reaching young audiences

STOP Presenter: Tracey Johnston

STOP Launches Burned by Tobacco Environmental Campaign with WHO, Unveiling a New Audience at its Intersection

STOP Presenter: Sharan Kuganesan, MPH

Understanding Adoption & implementation Procedure of WHO FCTC Article 5.3 Policy Guidelines in the state of Maharashtra, India

STOP Grantee: Appasaheb Ugale

Civil society organisations as key actors in tobacco control policy implementation in low- and middle-income countries: an interview-based study

STOP Presenter: Dr. Alexandra Ziemann

Wednesday, Level 3 Foyer, 12:40 PM – 01:40 PM

Documenting and resisting industry intimidation: empowering advocates and researchers

STOP Presenter: Phil Chamberlain

Tobacco industry’s tactics in e-cigarette market expansion in Bangladesh

STOP Grantee: Ehsanul Haque

Exposing Tobacco Industry’s Novel Tactic – Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) Narrative Promoted using Radio Programs in Pakistan

STOP Grantee: Dr. Waseem Iftikhar Janjua

Monitoring and Alleviating tactics by Nicotine/Tobacco/Harm reduction industries, their Allies and Networks (MANTHAN): A novel approach

STOP Presenter: Dr. Shivam Kapoor

Harm reduction actors employ strategic approaches to reach the youths and steer public opinion on electronic cigarettes in Indonesia

STOP Grantee: Luh Putu Sudi Wahyuni