Panel discussion: Global regulation, trade & supply chains: navigating policy disruption and market access
Regulatory disruption and shifting trade dynamics now represent the most significant strategic risks facing the nicotine and harm reduction industries. From flavour and disposable bans to new tax regimes, tariffs, import controls and heightened IP enforcement, companies must navigate an increasingly fragmented and unpredictable global landscape.
This panel brings together regulatory, policy and supply chain experts to examine how evolving global regulations and trade policies are reshaping product design, compliance strategies, market access and innovation. Panellists will share practical approaches for building agile, compliant supply chains; adapting packaging, marketing and product portfolios; and managing cross-border and geopolitical risks. The discussion will also highlight the key policy drivers influencing decision-makers today and identify emerging threats and opportunities to watch over the next 12 months—equipping businesses to future-proof operations and sustain harm reduction progress amid ongoing uncertainty.
Session Speakers
John has a strong background and reputation in the European e-cigarette industry, having held senior executive positions in some of the US and Europe’s biggest companies. As Managing Director of Dyflin Group Consulting, he advises many leading industry analysts, financial institutions and media organisations looking at the vaping and CBD sectors. John is also Director-General and one of the founders of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), the UK’s largest vaping Industry association and has advised the UK governments All Party Parliamentary Group on Vaping as well as giving evidence before the UK Science & Technology Committee investigation into the Vaping industry and the Australian Parliaments review on vaping.
John regularly appears on national television, radio as well as national and international print media. John is a popular guest speaker at many of the world’s leading conventions.
Mohammad Agrabawi is the Managing Partner of the Al Majlis Group.
He is a seasoned expert in regulatory affairs, corporate communications, and government relations, with deep knowledge of the political, regulatory, and fiscal landscape of the Middle East. He began his career as a Jordanian diplomat, serving as Assistant to the Chief of Protocol and later as Consul at the Jordanian embassies in Cairo and Abu Dhabi.
Agrabawi subsequently led corporate affairs and communications at Philip Morris International Jordan and the Public Authority for Anti-Smoking, as well as at JUUL Labs MENA and ANDS, shaping policy and market strategies across the region. In each role, he demonstrated a rare ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and align corporate interests with government priorities.
With extensive experience bridging the public and private sectors, Agrabawi is recognized for his leadership and his capacity to operate effectively across the diverse commercial and political environments of the Middle East. He brings to the Al Majlis Group a deep network of government and industry relationships built over decades of senior-level engagement throughout the region.
Sydney Hiller, Ph.D., specializes in navigating evolving regulatory and scientific challenges in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer products industries across dynamic, global environments. Sydney has a proven track record of success integrating scientific rigor with regulatory strategy to support innovative product development, regulatory submission and market entry, and ongoing compliance in challenging sectors including tobacco harm reduction and cannabis. Her ability to distill intricate scientific concepts into actionable plans has consistently driven success in these high-stakes, regulated environments. Sydney received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Southern California and her B.A. from New York University. During her studies, she worked under Raphael Mechoulam, commonly known as the father of cannabis research. In addition to her active participation in numerous professional societies, Sydney is passionate about advancing women in STEM fields. She has served as a mentor for both Women in Science & Engineering (WiSE) and Women in Chemistry (WiC) and is a member of Organization of Women in Nicotine and Tobacco (OWNiT).
Tim Phillips is the Founder of Tamarind Intelligence, a global independent market and regulatory intelligence service providing data for businesses operating in a number of fast-moving consumer sectors facing regulatory change, including vape, cannabis and tobacco alternatives. Tamarind Intelligence provides market leading insights and regulatory tracking for clients ranging from governments and academic institutions to multinational companies and professional service providers.
Phillips is a UK-qualified attorney, having worked at the European Commission, international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, media companies BSkyB and AOL, and Betfair (now Flutter Entertainment), where he ran global public affairs as the company went through its IPO. He was also a partner in a New York venture capital-funded start-up in the diamond sector. Tim holds a postgraduate diploma in legal practice from the University of Law, London and a masters degree in geology from Oxford University. He has run Tamarind Intelligence for the past 11 years.
Djaka Kusmartata serves as the Director of Excise Technical Affairs and Facilities at Indonesia's Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGCE), Ministry of Finance, following his appointment on 28 January 2026.
Throughout his career, he has held several strategic leadership positions, including Head of the DGCE Regional Offices in Maluku and South Sulawesi, as well as roles in customs and excise policy at the Fiscal Policy Agency.
His extensive experience in policy formulation, regulatory administration, and institutional leadership has contributed to his understanding of Indonesia's customs and excise framework. His involvement in international customs forums further brings a broader perspective to discussions on regulatory developments and cross-border trade.
