OPENING KEYNOTE: From polemics to policy – are we following the best evidence for vaping regulation?

In this year’s opening keynote, Professor Lion Shahab will highlight the importance of harm reduction in tobacco control and trace how international approaches to e-cigarettes—particularly in the UK and US—have diverged historically. This divergence has fuelled increasingly polarised debates, shaped by abolitionist and libertarian agendas, that often overshadow balanced evaluation of evidence. The talk will examine how findings on e-cigarette harms and benefits are frequently misrepresented, either understated or overstated, and argue for a rigorous, evidence-led approach to public health policy. In this context, it will also consider the intended and unintended consequences of current proposals in the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The talk will conclude by identifying critical gaps in the literature and setting priorities for future research to understand vaping’s population impact better and support proportionate, effective regulation.