On May 20, the annual conference of the Global Network for Tobacco-Free Healthcare Services (GNTH) 2026 was held in Malmö (Sweden), an international meeting space that brings together professionals and institutions committed to the prevention and control of smoking.
The ICO Tobacco Control Unit actively participates in this type of initiative that promotes healthier and smoke-free healthcare environments, aligned with the recommendations of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
As part of the conference, the GOLD Forum was also held, an international recognition that highlights healthcare centers that stand out for their work in implementing effective tobacco control policies and supporting smoking cessation. This year, Catalonia has had a prominent presence with the recognition of three hospitals as members of the GOLD Forum 2026 :
- the Sant Josep Clinic – Manresa University Healthcare Network
- the Sant Boi Hospital Foundation
- the Hospital de Palamós – SSIBE, which joins this group for the first time
These distinctions consolidate Catalonia’s leadership in the promotion of smoke-free hospitals and reflect the commitment of the centers and their professional teams to guarantee healthier environments for patients, professionals and visitors.
The meeting was attended by Laura Antón , who attended on behalf of the Catalan Network of Smoke-Free Hospitals , an initiative promoted with the support of the ICO’s Tobacco Control Unit, and who accompanied the delegations of the recognized centers.
In total, 11 centers around the world have been distinguished this 2026, including hospitals in Taiwan, Ireland and the Basque Country.
The Tobacco Control Unit continues to work to strengthen the participation of health centers in these international initiatives. Networking and shared commitment are key to moving towards a health system that is increasingly tobacco-free and oriented towards health promotion.
