The Global Tobacco & Nicotine Forum (GTNF) exists thanks to the vision and direction of its founder and president, Elise Rasmussen. In January 2019, Elise became the executive director of the GTNF Trust, part of a new division under the auspices of the Tobacco Merchants Association (TMA). From its launch in Rio de Janeiro in 2008 to the present day, the GTNF has become the global exchange for views and ideas among public health experts, government representatives, investors and members of the tobacco/nicotine industries.