Tobacco Control Working Group Chair Interview: John Gannon

John Gannon isn’t just a public health doctor from Ireland but a passionate advocate for global health. As the Working Group Chair for Tobacco Control for the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), he has dedicated his career to combating the harms of tobacco use and promoting public health. Tobacco control involves strategies to reduce tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke, including legislation, education, and support for cessation efforts. 

In this engaging interview, John shares his journey, the vital work of his team, and their plans for the future.

Can you introduce yourself?

Hi! My name is John Gannon. I’m a public health doctor from Ireland and the Chair of the Tobacco Control Working Group of the WFPHA. My background is primarily in child health, and I’ve worked in pediatrics in various children’s hospitals in Ireland and Australia over the last few years. Now, I’m working full-time in public health as of this year. I also spent some time as a public health volunteer in Zambia in 2022, so global health is something that really interests me. My current role is as a specialist registrar in public health in the Health Service Executive, which is the Irish Health Service, and I’m currently based in Dublin.

What motivated you to pursue a career in the public health sector?

When I studied medicine at university, I was always fascinated by the health system, health economics, and interventions on a population scale. I found that more exciting and suited to my skills than individual patient interactions and treatments. Doing public health well can have a far more significant impact than working with one patient at a time. I enrolled in a course in the UK for a diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene, which reinforced my interest. I also had an interest in smoking cessation from quite an early stage. While at university, I wrote a book called “Time to Quit Smoking: A 100-Day Guide to Saving Your Life,” available on Amazon. It’s a guide to help smokers through the first 100 days after quitting. These experiences and more led me to pursue a full-time career in public health.

How long have you been associated with the World Federation of Public Health Associations?

I first came into contact with the WFPHA in 2020 and applied for an internship. The Federation runs fantastic internship programs, usually three months, to give a taste of what it’s like. I started in January 2021 remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions. It was a fascinating time in public health with the pandemic and the approval of the first COVID-19 vaccines. During my internship, I joined the Federation’s international immunization policy task force and researched how different countries were approaching the vaccine rollout. I published blogs and a paper on that research. Towards the end of my internship, there was a vacancy for the Tobacco Control Working Group Chair position. I applied and was selected for the role about three years ago.

Could you elaborate on your working group’s current activities and share your vision and plans for the future?

The Tobacco Control Working Group usually has around 15 members at any given time, with international representation. Our work focuses on research, education, advocacy, increasing public knowledge, and promoting public health through the lens of tobacco control. Initially, we focused on researching and writing about tobacco industry tactics, creating a casebook with seven key tactics. We presented our findings at the World Congress on Public Health in Rome in 2023 and published a paper. Currently, our main project is a survey on young adults’ opinions towards tobacco endgames and e-cigarettes. We have about 300 responses and are analyzing the data. We’ve also started collaborating with the Non-Communicable Diseases Group on an anti-tobacco campaign in Nepal. We participate in Global Public Health Week annually with webinars and other events.

How do the working group activities align with and support the implementation of the Association’s strategic plans?

The WFPHA’s strategic plan for 2023-2027 has seven goals, and goal number 4, which is to develop and advance public health knowledge, education, practice, and research, aligns most with our activities. We generate primary and secondary evidence, present at international conferences, publish research, and increase awareness about tobacco control among public health professionals and the public. Another relevant goal is number 5: to grow new and strengthen existing partnerships. We have strong connections with various groups and experts, such as the Tobacco-Free Ireland team, which has guided us in our current survey project.

How has being part of the association and its network enhanced the activities of your working group and expanded its reach?

The WFPHA’s network is incredibly powerful, providing access to international experts with various skill sets. This has been invaluable in spreading knowledge and getting contacts for our projects. For instance, we tapped into WFPHA’s networks to disseminate our current survey. We also collaborate with other working groups on projects, such as the non-communicable disease team’s anti-tobacco campaign in Nepal and the oral health working group’s review of tobacco cessation strategies in pregnancy. These collaborations allow us to expand our reach and impact significantly.

John Gannon’s dedication to public health and tobacco control shines through his leadership and collaborative efforts. His work with the WFPHA is making significant strides towards a healthier, smoke-free world. Stay tuned for more updates on the impactful initiatives John and his colleagues in the WG led in the ongoing fight against tobacco.

Latest publications and tools from the Tobacco Control Working Group: 

https://www.wfpha.org/big-tobaccos-dirty-tricks-a-casebook/

Big tobacco’s dirty tricks: Seven key tactics of the tobacco industry.

Gannon J, Bach K, Cattaruzza MS, Bar-Zeev Y, Forberger S, Kilibarda B, Azari R, Okwor U, Lomazzi M, Borisch B.Tob Prev Cessat. 2023 Dec 20;9:39. doi: 10.18332/tpc/176336. eCollection 2023.PMID: 38124801 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

A scoping review on e-cigarette environmental impacts.

Ngambo G, Hanna EG, Gannon J, Marcus H, Lomazzi M, Azari R.Tob Prev Cessat. 2023 Oct 2;9:30. doi: 10.18332/tpc/172079. eCollection 2023.PMID: 37789930 Free PMC article. Review.

Tobacco Control Working Group Members:

Michelle Jongenlis, University of Melbourne, Australia

Biljana Kilibarda, Institute of Public Health of Serbia

Mariasofia Cattaruzza, Universit of Rome “La Sapienza,” Italy

Neetu Sinha, Karkinos Healthcare, India

Sarah Forberger, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology, Germany

Yael Bar-Zeev, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Ellen Cosgrave, Health Service Executive, Ireland

Giovanna Failla, Hospital Azienda, Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini in Rome, Italy

Marianna Gonzalez, King’s College London, UK