Watch Will Godfrey’s post-#GFN25 reaction, where he underscores the critical importance of effective communication in advancing the conversation around safer nicotine products. His reflections highlight how clear, evidence-based messaging can help shift public perception, inform policy, and support harm reduction efforts on a global scale.
Transcription:
00:05 - 01:56
[Will Godfrey]
The theme of this year's GFN was effective communication, and I think there's nothing more important in the THR field. We know that people will switch from cigarettes to safer options that can save their lives if they have an accurate picture of relative risks. Millions have already done this, even in countries with terrible policies. but most people have been unforgivably misinformed. That makes countering the flood of misinformation the highest priority, and many GFN delegates strategized on how to do this. Effective communication, I think, also applies internally in terms of putting together the different pieces of the THR movement to maximize impact. GFN is a unique gathering point for scientists, policy experts, people working on harm reduction in other areas and many more, including, of course, the nicotine consumer advocates who form the backbone of the movement and are its most powerful messengers. This year in Warsaw, I particularly appreciated efforts I saw to build coherence from these different strands of THR and to front load the consumer voices and personal stories that can break through. I participated in some stimulating sessions on advocacy and media messaging and experienced again this sense that THR will inevitably win the argument, but the critical question is how fast that will happen as millions of smoking related deaths continue. Speeches I heard from Safe Supply pioneer Mark Tindall and Canadian advocate Maria P, among many others, were outstanding, I thought, and taught me a lot. It all left me with renewed optimism that the knowledge and talent in this movement can accelerate the victory of evidence and compassion.