Conference and Technical Meeting on "Testing and Regulating Novel Tobacco Products"
An increasing number of novel smoking products alternatives to cigarettes, namely e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products, are marketed with the claim that they can reduce exposure to toxic substances in tobacco smoke. Convincing evidence from independent researchers has yet to be provided for the claims. In the absence of information on the individual and population health impacts and consequences from the use of these products, the Department of Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will convene a Conference and Roundtable Technical Discussions on "Testing and Regulating Novel Tobacco Products" in Hong Kong on 1 - 2 December 2017, with the aim of bringing together the scientific evidence from product testing, looking to the development of standardised chemical evaluation of these products, and building the scientific base opinions to support the effective and appropriate regulation of these products.
The first-day Conference on 1 December afternoon to be held at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre will consist of a series of seminars on topics such as testing e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products, and epidemiology and regulation of these novel products. For more details, please visit http://www.smokefree.hk/en/content/web.do?page=tobaccoendgameconference .
The Roundtable Technical Discussion on 2 December morning will cover two areas: 1) "Toward a universal standard on testing e-cigarettes and novel tobacco products: standardised procedures and essential substances to be looked for", and 2) “Challenges in regulating e-cigarettes and novel tobacco products: should we put these products under existing regulatory framework or start a new regime”. The purpose is to formulate a strategic plan on governing the emerging challenge of novel smoking products. Representatives from the World Health Organization, renowned experts from around the world, and the Hong Kong Department of Health will be joining the closed-door meeting. It is expected that a consensus or position statement could be achieved after the Conference and Roundtable Technical Discussions.