Healthcare

A forthcoming report set to be released next month is expected to emphasize the urgent need for investment in harm reduction strategies to combat a looming increase in cancers, cardiovascular disease, and strokes in the Middle East by 2050.

Dr. Derek Yach, a global health expert with over 30 years of experience, will unveil the report at the inaugural Global Vape Forum in Dubai from June 12-14. Dr. Yach, a former WHO cabinet director and executive director for noncommunicable diseases and mental health, has conducted extensive research for this report.

“The report will deliver strong new data on lives that could be saved in seven countries, including the UAE, by 2050,” said Dr. Yach. “This new event allows global experts, including scientists, professors, medical professionals, and industry leaders, to share and discuss crucial information.”

The Global Vape Forum, co-located with the World Vape Show Dubai, will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre in a dedicated conference theatre separate from the show floor.

Dr. Yach has been a central figure in tobacco control, starting in South Africa where he helped pass early legislation under Nelson Mandela’s government. He also played a key role in developing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and launched the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World.

Among the 40 delegates participating in the three-day event is Dr. Cheryl K. Olson, a public health researcher and co-author of the report. Dr. Olson’s recent work explores the role of religion in encouraging smoking cessation, targeting groups that conventional methods have not reached.

The forum is set to include a lively debate on the controversial topic of nicotine pouches and whether the UAE should adopt Saudi Arabia’s approach. Saudi Arabia has granted Badael, a new company owned by the Public Investment Fund, two years of market exclusivity to sell nicotine pouches.

Currently, the UAE lacks a regulatory framework for nicotine pouches. Dr. Nveed Chaudhary, Vice President of Dubai-based Medad Technology, warned of potential risks without clear regulations. “Nicotine pouches represent the latest line of defense in helping smokers quit,” said Dr. Chaudhary. “We need to ensure they are marketed and sold to current adult smokers unable to quit smoking and not as a lifestyle choice. Unregulated sales could lead to increased use among nicotine-naive individuals, including children, which would harm public health in the region.”

Jake Nixon, Event Director of the World Vape Show, expressed excitement about the event. "We are thrilled to unveil the inaugural Global Vape Forum alongside the esteemed World Vape Show Dubai. The event represents a new frontier in knowledge dissemination and collaboration within the vaping community, offering attendees an unparalleled opportunity to engage with top-tier experts."

Mohammad Agrabawi, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at ANDS, added, “Once again, it is a great pleasure to partner with the World Vape Show in Dubai, and this year we are proud to be the exclusive sponsor of the first-of-its-kind Global Vape Forum. The Forum represents a chance to meet and discuss harm reduction and scientific updates, providing an outlook on how these products are helping adult smokers quit conventional cigarettes.”

The Global Vape Forum aims to create a platform for meaningful discussions and advancements in harm reduction, ensuring better health outcomes for the region.

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