Prof. Polosa receives Award for anti-smoking efforts

Renowned expert in tobacco harm reduction Prof. Riccardo Polosa, receives the INNCO Global Award, an honor that is bestowed upon advocacy warriors who strive to make a positive impact in the battle against smoking.

Diane Caruana

June 26, 2017

The Professor who is Director of the Institute of Internal Medicine and Antismoking Center at the University of Catania, received this award on Saturday the 17th of June during the 2017 edition of GFN (Global Forum Nicotine), in Warsaw.

The award ceremony organizers said that Polosa was selected for “having promoted the concept of Tobacco Harm Reduction using his background in science, health, advocacy and academia and his belief that the truth about tobacco harm reduction offered by switching to alternative nicotine products is a cause worth fighting for.”

“Our sacrifices are not in vain; millions of smokers are quitting and the research in this field shows the that reduced risk alternatives to smoking can save millions of lives. We are promoters of a health revolution that will defeat smoking and save people.” Professor Riccardo Polosa

Dr. Riccardo Polosa, MD, PhD, who is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of clinical bronchoprovocation (airway-challenge studies), is also author of more than 250 peer reviewed articles and books mainly covering respiratory medicine, clinical immunology, and tobacco addiction.

Polosa’s research on vaping for Asthmatics

The professor has also carried extensive research about the correlation between the switch from smoking to vaping and alleviated Asthma symptoms in sufferers. “In asthmatic patients, we observed significant and stable improvements in respiratory symptoms, disease exacerbation rates and lung function already after 6 months of regular e-cigarette use, and persisting for up to 2 years.” said Polosa in an interview last year.

“In asthmatic patients, we observed significant and stable improvements in respiratory symptoms, disease exacerbation rates and lung function already after 6 months of regular e-cigarette use, and persisting for up to 2 years.”Professor Riccardo Polosa

Additionally, he had expressed that along with his team he would be moving on to studying the effects of vaping on patients suffering from COPD, (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ), and diabetes. The medical director had added that in his opinion the other areas worth exploring are those of chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and psychological illnesses.

The promoter of a health revolution

“I am very happy to have received this award. Bringing the results of Italian research all over the world, together with the work of several others talented international scientists, is a reason for pride and joy. I am grateful to all the research staff at the University of Catania who collaborates every day with me to reach these important goals. Our sacrifices are not in vain; millions of smokers are quitting and the research in this field shows the that reduced risk alternatives to smoking can save millions of lives. We are promoters of a health revolution that will defeat smoking and save people.” said an honoured Polosa, on receiving the INNCO Global Award.