a leading company in the electronic nicotine delivery solutions and heated tobacco technology, took part in a series of panel discussions alongside other industry leaders at a recent industry event. Mohammad Agrabawi, Director of Corporate Affairs & Communications, and Fadi Maayta, Co-Founder and President, ANDS, discussed in-depth topics such as youth protection, product conformity, and collaboration with regulatory bodies. Mohammad Agrabawi said: “It is vital for key players to come together to discuss solutions to the challenges faced by the industry with a goal to deliver added value for the community. Collaboration between the industry and regulators, policy makers and governments is imperative to ensuring the protection of vulnerable categories such as minors, ex-smokers and non-smokers. At ANDS, it is our mission to help adult cigarette smokers to quit smoking altogether by providing them scientifically backed products that are potentially less harmful.” At a session moderated by John Dunne, Director General, UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) and Managing Director of Dyflin Group Consulting, Fadi Maayta spoke about the role of tobacco companies in the vaping sector and the challenges and opportunities ahead. Omar Abdellatif, General Manager Lower Gulf, Philip Morris; and Rebecca Haining, Head of External Affairs, BAT Middle East, South Asia and North Africa, also took part in the discussion. At another discussion attended by Rebecca Haining and Robert Naouss, Director of External Affairs, MENA and Europe, RELX, Mohammad Agrabawi discussed the importance of the industry’s commitment to fighting youth use and illicit trade through product conformity. On the final day, ANDS delved more in-depth into the importance of balanced fiscal and regulatory frameworks to curb the flow of illicit trade in nicotine delivery solutions, as well as the importance of a unified position across all relevant parties to at risk groups. ANDS recently launched its Sentinel Program, which addresses solutions for youth vaping and provides the company’s perspective on protecting minors and non-smokers from being exposed to nicotine delivery solutions. The initiative includes steps on product conformity, packaging, marketing practices, up to trade and retail practices.