Hosted by Forest
Monday, 2nd October | 3.15pm – 4.15pm
The Conservative government says it’s committed to making England ‘smoke free’ by 2030. We are also told that tackling smoking (and vaping) will be a priority for the next Labour government. Is the ongoing war on tobacco justified, or is this a classic case of government overreach, with adults being treated like ignorant and unruly children?
Speakers:
Simon Clark, Director, Forest
Simon is director of the campaign group Forest (Freedom Organisation for the Right
to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco). He previously worked in public relations, publishing, journalism, and event management. A non-smoker, Simon appears regularly on television and radio defending adults who choose to smoke or vape. He writes a blog, ‘Taking Liberties’, and is often quoted by the print media on issues relating to smoking and nicotine.
Reem Ibrahim, Communications officer, Institute of Economic Affairs
Reem is the communications officer at the Institute of Economic Affairs. A graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, she appears regularly on television and radio, including the BBC, LBC, GB News and TalkTV, and has written for the Telegraph and CapX. Prior to becoming communications officer at the IEA, Reem was a general intern, working with various departments including research and media.
Mark Oates, Director, We Vape
Mark Mark Oates is the director of the consumer advocacy group We Vape and a Fellow of the Adam Smith Institute. Mark founded We Vape in 2020. An established harm reduction campaigner, he successfully quit cigarettes with the help of vaping and recognised the enormous potential it has to save lives.
Christopher Snowdon, Head of lifestyle economics, Institute of Economic Affairs
Christopher is the head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic
Affairs. He is a regular contributor to the Spectator, Telegraph and Spiked, and is the author of ‘Polemics’ (2020), ‘Killjoys’ (2017), ‘Selfishness, Greed and Capitalism’ (2015), ‘The Art of Suppression’ (2011), ‘The Spirit Level Delusion’ (2010) and ‘Velvet Glove, Iron Fist’ (2009). He is also the editor of the Nanny State Index.
ThinkTent 2023 