On 26 June, Dublin hosted the Global Network for Tobacco Free Healthcare Services (GNTH) General Assembly and Gold Forum conference in a hybrid format. During the morning meeting, the network’s member hospitals presented their activities in 2024 and presented their strategic lines for 2025. Psychologist Laura Antón , representing the Catalan Network of Smoke-Free Hospitals and member of the Tobacco Control Unit (UCT), actively participated in these sessions.
The Gold Forum conference featured the outstanding intervention of Cristina Martínez , head of the UCT, who gave a presentation on the science of implementation and its application in research projects within healthcare centers. The history and evolution of the GNTH was also reviewed with contributions from Susann Koalick (Switzerland) and Ed Murphy (Ireland), who presented the organization’s main projects and future challenges.
Cornel Radu , representative of the ENSP network, presented opportunities for collaboration between different networks and presented support materials for the implementation of tobacco control measures in healthcare centers.
In the afternoon, attendees participated in an exchange of experiences in a World Café format, focused on three thematic areas. The day ended with the awarding of Gold Forum accreditations to the 12 hospitals that have stood out for their work during the year: 7 from Taiwan, 2 from Ireland, 1 from France, 1 from the Basque Country and 1 from Switzerland.
The GNTH Gold accreditation is the most important international recognition granted to healthcare centers that demonstrate significant progress in the implementation of tobacco control policies, becoming reference models in the fight against smoking. To achieve this level, hospitals must meet strict standards and pass the assessment of a specialized international jury.
