Netiquette
The main functions of TTCF listserv is to enable members to distribute and exchange information; announce important events and other information appearing in papers, books, and other websites; action alerts, strategise, debate and discuss tobacco control issues.
The following guidelines will help to ensure quality and relevant participatory dialogue within the TTCF listserv.

Use of material posted on TTCF listserv without permission:
It is prohibited to:

• forward TTCF posts to non TTCF members, unless you have explicit permission from the author(s). If in doubt on membership, check names under Members directory .
• post TTCF material on websites or blogs, articles or books, without permission of the author(s)
• publish private e-mail or other written correspondence on the listserv without permission of the author(s)

Penalties for using material without permission:
First offence: Immediate suspension of reading and posting rights for one month; Second offence: Termination of membership.

Posting to members only:
Post to TTCF listserv members only. Do not post to TTCF listserv materials not related to tobacco control
Penalties for posting to non TTCF members, or of non tobacco control materials: First offence: Suspension of posting rights for one month; second offence: Permanent ban on posting.

Excessive, repetitive posting:
Do not post or make an argument more than once. If you believe a member is being unnecessarily repetitive, e-mail TTCF listserv supervisor

Penalties for repetitive posting:
First offence: Suspension of posting rights for one month;
Second offence: permanent ban on posting

Replying to sender or replying to whole list?
Just remember:

• If you want to reply to the sender, hit, “reply”
• If you want to reply to whole list, hit “reply all”
• Remember, your “reply all” will go to all members in the listserv, including you!
• Please do no use “reply all” to say things like “I agree/disagree”; Bravo”, “Happened to me as well”; etc. It is not interesting!!.
• If you want to get yourself off the list, just click the unsubscribe button

Criticism of others:
Constructive and supportive discussions are encouraged on the listserv. Please, try to be civil and courteous. When being critical, always try to be critical of facts, ideas and views that have been expressed. Do not label people with pejorative terms. The purpose of posting is not to win an argument, but to promote understanding of differing viewpoints.
If you believe someone has posted an unacceptably personal criticism, you can express your concern by contacting the person privately, or by bringing the matter to the attention of the TTCF listserv supervisor.
NEVER use abusive, threatening or hateful language,

Penalties for abusive language:
First offence: Immediate suspension of reading and posting rights for one month; Second offence: Termination of membership

Competing interests:
All TTCF members on the listserv are required to complete and then maintain a current competing interest statement.
Each TTCF listserv member must sign a statement that they are not affiliated with any tobacco industry. Affiliation to companies that are producing smoking cessation or other tobacco related products should be declared upon signing up.

What is not allowed:
Affiliation in this context means:

• being employed by, or contracted to any tobacco industry, association or any other agents known by you to be acting for tobacco industries or associations;
• receiving honoraria, travel, conference or other financial support from any tobacco industry, association or any other agent known by you to be acting for or in service of tobacco industries or associations;
• receiving direct or indirect financial support for research, education or other services from a tobacco industry, association, or any agent acting for or in service of such companies or associations;
• having shareholding in any tobacco industry of more than 5 (five) shares
• owning a patent or proprietary interest in a technology or process for the consumption of tobacco or other tobacco use related products or initiatives.

Anyone declaring or subsequently determined to have any of the above competing interests will be excluded from TTCF membership.

What is allowed:

• TTCF leadership accepts that members may have legitimate, direct contact with tobacco industries or associations in the course of their work (for example: meeting with tobacco industry employees, attending industry meetings, receiving data or information from tobacco company, being a member of a committee which include tobacco industry representatives)
• TTCF's goal is not to bar membership to anyone who has interacted with the tobacco industry in what might be judged as a “trivial” incident (such as sharing a cab to an airport with an industry employee where the fare was paid by the employee), but to ensure transparency among TTCF members about significant competing interests.
• The tobacco industry has established interest in funding numerous allegedly fully independent “arms length” funding bodies which channel research and/or educational funding to scientists, educators and public bodies. Often this independence has been compromised by industry involvement.
• If you are in receipt of funding from such a tobacco industry supported body, this must be declared. The TTCF Executive Committee will then adjudicate whether such affiliation is in breach of TTCF membership rules
• If you believe any TTCF member is in breach of any of the above conditions of competing interests, seek clarification from the member concerned. Ask if their TTCF competing interests declaration is up-to-date. If this proves inconclusive and you believe you have evidence (as opposed to suspicion), then report your evidence to the TTCF listserv supervisor, who will refer the matter to the TTCF Executive Committee.
• DO NOT ask any member on the public listserv to affirm their competing interests.
• Penalties: Failure to declare competing interests may lead to termination of membership;
• Publicly asking a member to declare competing interests: First offence: suspension for three months.