David MacKintosh has over 25 years’ experience in drug, alcohol and harm reduction policy. His roles have included the UK Cabinet Office’s Anti Drug Coordination Unit, leading the London Drug and Alcohol Policy Forum, advising the Greater London Authority, and six years as Head of Community Safety for the City of London. He has served as a trustee of charities addressing substance use. David has delivered innovative campaigns and national best-practice guidance to reduce harm. Since 2020, he has worked independently, supporting Knowledge•Action•Change on the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction and the Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme.
All videos (2)
How Can Tobacco Harm Reduction Reach Marginalised Communities? #GFN26
27 Jul 2026
What are the fundamental principles of harm reduction and how can they be applied to many areas of human activity? How can tobacco harm reduction be integrated into mainstream practice to reduce the harms of smoking for those most at risk – illicit drug users, those with poor mental health and others marginalised through economic and legal constraints? What are the obstacles to integration and how might we address and overcome these?
GFN.TV Interviews #92 | OVERLOOKED RISK | Smoking’s Toll Among People Who Use Drugs
24 Jul 2026
Among more than 100,000 people who used heroin in England, smoking accounted for 24% of premature deaths, nearly matching illegal drugs at 28%. Yet smoking remains routinely overlooked within drug treatment and harm reduction services.
Shot on location at GFN 2026 in Warsaw, Poland, David MacKintosh of the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction explains how integrating safer nicotine could deliver a low-cost, high-impact intervention that helps people live longer and healthier lives.
Featuring:
David Mackintosh
Director, Knowledge Action Change
Fmr. Chair of Trustees, Drug and Alcohol Services London kachange.eu