Confronting tuberculosis and smoking together | GSTHR 2026

This session explores the critical but often under-recognised link between smoking and tuberculosis (TB), bringing together activists and experts with lived and professional experience. Drawing on global and regional perspectives from Eastern Europe and Central Asia, speakers highlight how tobacco use worsens treatment outcomes and contributes to preventable mortality. Through examples of community-led representation, communication and policy analysis, the session examines practical approaches to integrating tobacco harm reduction into TB responses – strengthening prevention, improving access to treatment, and supporting more effective, people-centred lung health strategies. #TB #TuberculosisInfection #THR