Reinskje Talhout appointed as special professor Product appeal and prevention of harmful consumption behaviour

Talhout also works as senior scientist at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and has been cooperating with the SSEB group for over ten years. That was highly instrumental in informing the policy to ban youth-enticing flavours in e-cigarettes. Talhout will now join the group as a special Professor (20%). 

The appointment aligns with the growing need to reduce the appeal and use of reinforcing harmful products (RHPs) such as nicotine vapes, energy drinks and flavoured alcoholic drinks, especially among young people. Some of the appealing factors of these products overlap and they are often used by the same consumer group: adolescents and young adults. In contrast to traditional food consumption, consumer appeal of products with reinforcing and/or harmful ingredients is currently poorly understood, particularly which product characteristics lead to preferences and habitual use.  Talhout’s appointment will help establish an integrated research programme, aimed at unravelling precisely those product factors and mechanisms.

Talhout is excited about her new role and hopes that the combination of the specific expertise of the WUR, in particular the SSEB group, with the position of the RIVM as a leading public health institute, will provide a new approach to combat the global epidemic of unhealthy consumer behaviour. “Understanding, controlling, and preventing the widespread use of reinforcing harmful products is important to protect the health and well-being of the population”, says the newly appointed special professor. “Sensory science is a key factor in this, to which I hope to contribute.”

Chair-holder of the SSEB group Ciarán Forde also reacts delighted to the appointment of Talhout. “This appointment will help distinguish Wageningen’s approach to understanding nutrition related behaviours”, he says.  “We will go beyond traditional nutrients of concern to focus on how product perceptual and re-enforcing properties stimulate consumption patterns, and the impact this has on the wider nutritional status. Through this appointment we look forward to a deeper understanding of the interplay between sensory, physiological, and psychological aspects of RHP’s, as well as characteristics of the consumer that differentiate consumption behaviour. I look forward to continuing to grow our successful partnership with Reinskje and strengthening the research collaboration with RIVM on the mechanisms and public health impact of RHP products”.

Reinskje Talhout holds a PhD in physical organic chemistry, as well as an MSc in philosophy. She is an experienced researcher in the field of reinforcing harmful products, such as tobacco and nicotine products, drugs, alcohol, and energy drinks. Furthermore, she is head of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Tobacco Product Regulation and Control. In addition to her research activities, Talhout regularly advises the national government, the EU, and WHO. By contributing to a better understanding of the attractive, addictive and toxic properties of tobacco and nicotine products, she has made a significant impact to tobacco control.