2Firsts CEO Alan Zhao Invited to Deliver Speech at InterTabac: The Role and Value of News Media in NGP Harm Reduction

On September 20th, in Germany, the Dortmund Tobacco Exhibition entered its second day. On this day of industry conferences, key topics such as the development of new tobacco products, cutting-edge technological innovations, and evolving market trends were discussed. Representatives from entrepreneurs, research experts, media professionals, and industry associations from around the world were invited to attend the conference.

2Firsts co-founder and CEO Alan Zhao was invited to attend a virtual conference, where he delivered a speech titled "The Role and Value of News Media in Harm Reduction of NGP (New Generation Products)." Zhao aimed to point out that the lack of news coverage has hindered the development of harm reduction in new tobacco products and decreased the effectiveness of government decision-making. He called on all parties to support the media in providing more comprehensive and objective coverage of the industry.

In his speech, Alan Zhao pointed out that the shortcomings in news reporting are hindering the progress of NGP reduction. He emphasized the key role and value of the media in providing comprehensive information, promoting industry transparency, and driving policy-making.

Mainstream media's insufficient attention to the NGP industry.

Alan Zhao first mentioned that mainstream media lacks coverage of the NGP industry, stating that the global NGP market worth billions of dollars is hardly comprehensively presented in mainstream media. He emphasized that comprehensive market coverage by the media is crucial for understanding the complexity of the NGP industry and addressing related challenges.

In the case of illegal e-liquid in the Southeast Asian market, Alan Zhao cited an example. He mentioned that last year, 2Firsts received news that some e-cigarette companies were illegally adding harmful substances to e-liquid sold in the Southeast Asian market. Despite this, there was no reporting on this issue by global media. In response to this situation, 2Firsts sent personnel to Southeast Asia to purchase samples of the products in question and had them tested by an independent laboratory. Ultimately, 2Firsts published the test results, confirming the wrongdoing of these companies. Without the investigation and reporting by 2Firsts, this incident may have remained a mere "rumor," and the health threats faced by consumers would have been difficult to bring to public attention.

Without news, there are no facts, and without facts, there are no good decisions.

Alan Zhao believes that the lack of news coverage can lead to an "information island" problem. Without news, there are no facts. The lack of circulation of industry information can hinder innovation and discovery. He specifically mentioned the challenges faced by nicotine consumers, including the exaggerated advertising of e-cigarette flavors on the market and consumers' misconceptions about the relative safety of NGP products.

Alan Zhao stated that in the formulation of policies, legislators and law enforcement officials' public decision-making effectiveness will be affected if they lack a comprehensive understanding of the facts. For example, if regulators simply ban new types of tobacco without considering consumers' reasonable demands for harm reduction, it will lead to the emergence of underground gray markets, resulting in the government not collecting taxes and consumers using products with unguaranteed quality. Alan Zhao shared his research on the underground e-cigarette market in Thailand at the event.

Alan Zhao attends Dortmund tobacco exhibition online | Image source: 2Firsts

Calls on the government, businesses, and media to work together to build a "future of harm reduction.

At the end of his speech, Alan Zhao expressed confidence in a future of "reducing harm". He called on the government, businesses, and the media to work together towards this goal.

Influential media should pay more attention to the e-cigarette industry and highlight the positive role of the media in harm reduction through non-combustible tobacco products (NGP). Governments should improve communication with the media when creating policies and enforcing laws. Information from new tobacco companies, especially large ones, should be more transparent. Many companies are more inclined to remain silent and avoid media contact. However, efforts to reduce harm through NGP require greater transparency in information, which is also a part of corporate social responsibility.

2Firsts will drive the implementation of a global NGP information sharing network. Alan Zhao said that 2Firsts will continue to leverage its influence and resource advantage, closely collaborate with governments, manufacturers, and media worldwide, to jointly build a global NGP information sharing network. Through the power of media communication, it aims to enhance public understanding of NGP in a more comprehensive and objective manner, promote the high-quality development of the industry economy, support more effective public decision-making, and accelerate the global process of harm reduction in NGP.

David Yu, the regional director of 2Firsts, was invited to host the conference. After Alan Zhao's speech, David mentioned that at the Dortmund Tobacco Expo, 2Firsts had a reporting team of 4 people on-site and nearly 10 people remotely reporting. In the past day and a half of the exhibition, 2Firsts has published nearly 30 articles in both Chinese and English, with a total of nearly 100,000 readers. As Alan Zhao mentioned, 2Firsts' presence has achieved a form of information inclusivity and equality, which is particularly important for small and medium-sized enterprises. Access to comprehensive information helps them to make more innovative products and business decisions.

Alan Zhao's speech received high praise and widespread discussion from attendees. Many participants appreciated the positive role that 2Firsts plays in advancing global harm reduction efforts, and look forward to further communication and cooperation.

As a global leader in atomization technology media and think tanks, Firsts will continue to engage in and organize more research and discussions on the emerging tobacco industry, promoting high-quality development in the industry and working towards the early achievement of harm reduction goals.

If you would like to communicate with Alan Zhao, please contact: alan@2firsts.com.