Tobacco and nicotine use remain the leading causes of preventable disease and death in Europe and across the world. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence linking tobacco and nicotine consumption to cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, and a long list of other diseases and disabilities, we are still far from ending the tobacco epidemic. Yet, progress in tobacco control remains too slow. Inaction — or insufficient action — in the face of such clear harm is no longer acceptable. Adding to this danger is the growing influence of Big Tobacco’s narrative of a “smoke-free future”. By promoting alternative tobacco and nicotine products under the guise of harm reduction, the industry is rebranding itself as part of the solution, while continuing to drive addiction and undermine tobacco control efforts. This narrative risks deeply confusing the public, especially young people, who may begin to believe that the industry genuinely supports healthier cities and a healthier world. That is why the 10th European Conference on Tobacco or Health (ECToH) comes at a crucial moment. Not only does this edition mark a significant milestone in the history of ECToH, but it also presents a unique opportunity to align tobacco control with a broader vision of health and sustainability: Nicotine- Free Spaces for Healthier Cities. Tobacco and nicotine have no place in the cities we want for future generations. Cleaner air, more green spaces, and public environments free from harmful substances are essential to achieving the WHO’s One Health approach, protecting people from tobacco smoke and the influence of the tobacco industry.

Contents related to Ireland include: 

• The new public health index – Assessing public health policies in Europe.
• Overview of emerging nicotine product use by teenagers and a comparison with smoking and e-cigarette use.
• Different types of school absenteeism and associations with smoking and e-cigarette use.
• Comparative effects of vaping, smoking, and dual exposure on third trimester fetal biometry a secondary analysis of the echo study.
• Practical implementation of a financial incentives programme to encourage smoking cessation among low-income populations.
• Integrated model for tobacco control: Fiscal measures in Europe and evidence-based advocacy activities by Fondazione Umberto Veronesi ETS.
• Clearing the air - exploring the international public policy responses to the synthetic nicotine crisis: A scoping review.
• Training inmates as peer stop smoking advisors in a medium security prison in Ireland: A peer-led approach to deliver stop smoking care in a prison setting.
• A primary obstetric outcome analysis of the echo study - the impact of e-cigarettes on pregnancy and childhood health outcomes - prospective, multi-centre, observational, cohort study of women who smoke or vape during pregnancy.
• Removal of barriers to optimise access to NRT via stop smoking services in Ireland.
• Enabling gps to deliver recommended stop smoking care through electronic referral.
• Enabling gps to deliver recommended stop smoking care through electronic referral.
• Increased prevalence of smoking and nicotine use in teenagers associated with participation in tobacco health education.
• Implementation and impact of comprehensive tobacco- and nicotine -free policies in healthcare institutions: A systematic review.