The Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR) officially opens a dialogue on tobacco harm reduction through scientific research, clinical application, and proposals for more effective public health strategies at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Smoking and Harm Reduction. The conference is held on Saturday, June 14th, 2025, at the UTC Hotel Bandung.
This international scientific forum, being held in collaboration with leading universities across Asia, aims to reduce tobacco-related harm in the region, with Indonesia as the starting point. The conference is opened by Universitas Padjadjaran Vice-Rector for Research, Collaboration, and Marketing, Prof. Rizky Abdulah, and featured prominent figures from CoEHAR, including its founder, Prof. Riccardo Polosa and the director, Prof. Giovanni Li Volti. Also in attendance are researchers and institutional representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region.
“For the first time in Indonesia, we are creating a moment of exchange and dialogue among leading researchers and academics in this field. This conference marks a valuable collaboration with our partners at Universitas Padjadjaran through two of CoEHAR’s most significant projects, showcasing how scientific research can be used as the foundation for transforming public health choices,” said Prof. Giovanni Li Volti, the Director of CoEHAR.
A key highlight of the conference is the presentation of ongoing collaborative research initiatives, including the REPLICA project, which validates current scientific evidence on the toxicology of cigarettes and harm reduction products across seven laboratories, setting new international research standards. Another featured study, SMILE, evaluates changes in oral health parameters among smokers who switch to risk-reducing products.
“The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive. The support from stakeholders and local researchers is a vital milestone in our efforts, an outcome of strong collaboration and networks that allow us to build unique scientific and cultural bridges,” said Prof. Riccardo Polosa.
In a country where smoking prevalence presents a major public health challenge, open and transparent communication grounded in scientific research offers a real opportunity to influence lifestyle choices among the Indonesian population.
The topics presents at the conference sparked high interest among both students and attendees, with particular attention paid to issues such as skin and eye health, and the effects of smoking on athletic performance and military life.
“Indonesia needs innovative strategies to address the impact of smoking on public health, and international collaborations like this are essential,” said Dr. Ronny Lesmana, M.Kes., AIFO, Ph.D., from CoEHAR Padjadjaran.
During the conference, finalists of the International Research Talent Program and Awards are introduced. Coordinated by CoEHAR in Catania and launched in 2021 under the REPLICA project, this initiative supports young researchers from universities in low- and middle-income countries. It offers financial support for independent research projects in harm reduction, focusing on scientific excellence and potential public health impact.
The event concluded with a poster session, oral presentations by young researchers, and a networking dinner. While the science presented at the conference offers tangible solutions for reducing the harm of smoking, international alliances, accommodative regulatory frameworks, and a unified vision across health, education, and research are essential. The conference also reaffirms CoEHAR’s role as a bridge between academic research, the public, and public health, while renewing its commitment to the global roadmap toward a harm-reduced society. (Release by CoEHAR Padjadjaran)
