Bandung, May 20, 2025 – The first Asian conference on smoking harm reduction, promoted by CoEHAR, is set to kick off in Bandung. On June 14, the “ASIA-PACIFIC CONFERENCE ON SMOKING AND HARM REDUCTION” will take place at Padjadjaran University, sponsored by CoEHAR and organized in collaboration with the Indonesian University.
Just a few months after signing the first collaboration agreement between the University of Catania and Padjadjaran University, CoEHAR Indonesia will open its doors to the international academic community for the first time.
CoEHAR leaders, Indonesian government representatives, and some of the world’s foremost experts will gather in Bandung to discuss current research perspectives on smoking harm reduction and present the latest medical and scientific developments in the field.
Among those heading to Indonesia are CoEHAR leaders: Prof. Riccardo Polosa, founder and creator of the research center, recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in smoking harm reduction; Prof. Giovanni Li Volti, CoEHAR director, author of numerous studies, and coordinator of the REPLICA research project; and Prof. Massimo Caruso, coordinator of research activities between Italian and Indonesian laboratories and Co-PI of the REPLICA project.
It is important to note that Indonesia remains one of the regions with the highest percentage of smokers and the highest mortality rate due to smoking-related diseases. CoEHAR’s presence in this region marks a pivotal moment for a historic shift towards a smoke-free revolution, even in areas where smoking is still seen as a primary form of socialization.
“We are proud to host this first CoEHAR event in Asia,” says Prof. Ronny Lesmana, associate professor of physiology and coordinator of CoEHAR’s research activities in Indonesia. “This conference will bring together key experts from around the world and provide an opportunity to share the latest results of our research, as well as the global vision of our activities.”
Emphasizing the importance of public policies that promote healthy lifestyles and combat smoking habits, the event has received support from the local government, with representatives from the West Java provincial administration, including H. Dedi Mulyadi, S.H., M.M., the governor’s spokesperson.
The event represents a critical milestone in the history of harm reduction research, expanding CoEHAR’s research strategies and reinforcing its innovative, forward-thinking, and ever-evolving vision.
“This conference does not mark the end of our work, but rather the beginning of a new phase, expanding our efforts into regions of the world with high smoking-related mortality rates. We aim to listen to the local needs in order to better target our research on the most urgent issues,” says Prof. Giovanni Li Volti.
“Dental health, eye health, pharmacology, dermatology, and artificial intelligence are just a few of the research areas we will explore during the conference. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial to addressing the damage caused by smoking and promoting healthy lifestyles,” emphasizes Prof. Riccardo Polosa. “Integrating different disciplines helps us not only reduce smoking-related deaths but also find solutions to mitigate the damage caused by all types of addiction (including alcohol and drugs) and unhealthy lifestyles.”
During the event, faculty from the University of Catania will present the results of some of CoEHAR’s most significant projects, such as the Smile and Replica projects. Both are major successes of the center, with numerous publications and significant results in harm reduction research. Experts and researchers from Indonesian, Malaysian, and Singaporean universities will discuss topics such as legislation, visual damage, the impact of smoking on sports and military life, dermatological aspects, new products, and harm reduction policies. Special attention will also be given to young researchers, who will have the opportunity to present their posters and participate in various ongoing research contests and competitions.
Program of the event
