World No Tobacco Day 2025: Progressive Analytical Centre (PAC) Champions Harm Reduction for a Healthy Europe

Progressive Analytical Centre (PAC) is proud to announce its commitment to fostering evidence-based, pragmatic and progressive solutions for tobacco addiction control. In recognition of World No Tobacco Day 2025, PAC is organizing an Interactive Roundtable in Brussels on Monday, June 2, 2025, to address the urgent need for harm reduction strategies in achieving a smoke-free Europe.

Interactive Roundtable Invitation

Date: Monday, June 2, 2025
Time: 13:30 – 15:00
Venue: Silversquare Europe, Sq. de Meeûs 35, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

The roundtable will feature a keynote address on „Towards a Smoke-Free Europe: Integrating Harm Reduction into Youth-Centered Public Health Policy.“ This session will:

• Highlight the importance of inclusive dialogue and policy innovation.
• Advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration to create effective, future-proof health policies.
• Address the balance between long-term health outcomes and immediate risk mitigation, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Special Guests

We are honored to welcome distinguished participants, including MEP Marc Angel and former MEP Mikuláš Peksa, who will share their perspectives on youth engagement and innovative harm reduction strategies within the European Union.

PAC’s Stance on Harm Reduction

PAC has long supported harm reduction—a public health approach that prioritizes minimizing the negative impacts of substance use. By advocating for policies grounded in science, human rights, and pragmatism, we aim to complement prevention and regulation efforts.

Harm reduction, endorsed also by organizations such as the Progressive Housing Society, represents a balanced and compassionate strategy. It acknowledges the complex realities of tobacco use and the need for tailored interventions, particularly for young people and at-risk populations. PAC’s previous studies have underscored the necessity of these approaches in achieving sustainable public health outcomes.

A Call to Action: Why Restriction Alone Is Not Enough?

While tobacco control regulations are essential, restriction alone cannot address the multifaceted challenges of smoking. PAC advocates for a paradigm shift towards proactive harm reduction measures that engage youth as active stakeholders and embrace technological and behavioral innovations. Furthermore, the EU policy should duly take into account the conclusions in the European Parliament’s work in the field of health protection, namely the Report on the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the Report on Non-communicable diseases.

„We believe the path to a healthier Europe lies in integrating harm reduction into comprehensive public health strategies,“ Tomas Petricek (PAC Director) said. „By fostering inclusive dialogue and equipping policymakers with evidence-based solutions, we can co-create a smoke-free generation.“