Read articles from Europe

January 13, 2025 by philenews.com

According to recent Eurobarometer data, one in four EU citizens smokes, with the highest rates found in eastern and southeastern Europe. Bulgaria leads with 37% smokers, followed by Greece (36%), Croatia (35%), and Romania (34%). Cyprus ranks seventh at 29%, while Sweden reports the lowest rate (8%), followed by the Netherlands (11%) and Denmark (14%). The survey highlights a gender gap in tobacco use, with 28% of men and 21% of women smoking. Over half of EU citizens (56%) have never smoked. Young men facing financial difficulties, particularly those aged 25-39 (32%), are the most likely to smoke.

January 10, 2025 by kcl.ac.uk

New research by IoPPN & ASH shows 1% of adults and youths currently use nicotine pouches. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to regulate pouch sales, advertising, and content. Nicotine pouches are non-tobacco sachets placed between the lips and gums to release nicotine. Findings from ASH surveys 2020-2024 reveal an increase in adult pouch use to 5.4% but only 1% currently use them. Youth usage stands at 1.2%. Study highlights the need to track pouch trends and understand socio-demographic factors.

January 09, 2025 by nltimes.nl

Dutch Institute of Psychologists advocates raising the minimum age for buying tobacco and vapes to 21 due to increasing youth smoking and vaping rates. Despite efforts, the National Prevention Agreement's goal for a smoke-free generation by 2040 faces challenges. NIP proposes additional measures like public awareness campaigns, higher taxes, and stricter sales restrictions to address rising health risks associated with smoking and vaping among young people.

January 08, 2025 by euronews.com

New research reveals that smoking one cigarette reduces life expectancy by about 20 minutes. The study by University College London looked at data from the British Doctors Study and the Million Women Study. Women lose around 22 minutes of life per cigarette, compared to 17 minutes for men. Earlier estimates were lower, with smoking believed to shorten life by 11 minutes. Smoking remains a major preventable cause of death globally and quitting at any age has health benefits. Combining behavioral support with stop-smoking medications increases success rates. Globally, tobacco-related deaths exceed those from AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined.

January 07, 2025 by brusselstimes.com

Half of e-cigarette vendors are not complying with strict regulations introduced by Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke in 2023 to restrict flashy designs and slogans. Violations, especially in Brussels, were found in 80% of cases, with two-thirds related to vape composition. MP Els Van Hoof is pushing for legislation to ban flavors that mask health hazards. Harsher penalties are being considered, including closing non-compliant businesses if violations persist.

January 06, 2025 by irishexaminer.com

Irish research shows adolescents are more likely to use cannabis if they perceive parental ambivalence. The study of 4,400 15-16-year-olds identified other risk factors like peer influence, lack of parental supervision, and low perception of harm. Parental attitudes significantly impact adolescent behavior, with parental involvement key in prevention initiatives. Friends' influence was found to be even stronger. The research stressed the urgent need for tailored public health messaging to counter societal acceptance and misconceptions about cannabis. Additionally, it highlighted the importance of parental education and increased awareness of cannabis-related risks among teenagers and parents.

January 06, 2025 by gfn.tv

The UK has announced a mammoth effort to combat tobacco use with its The Tobacco and Vape Bill including the eye-catching generational tobacco ban, which will prevent anyone born after 2009 from ever being able to purchase harmful combustible tobacco products. But with safer nicotine products such as heated tobacco products and snus included in this ban, will tobacco harm reduction efforts be caught in the crossfire? And can this ban even be realistically enforced? Martin Cullip joins us to discuss the generational ban on tobacco products in the UK and many more proposed regulations announced in Part One of our UK special on GFN TV!

January 06, 2025 by bbc.com

Scientists discovered dangerous levels of metals in illegal vapes seized in Derby. Unregulated e-cigarettes tested contained harmful chemicals with severe health risks. The products had high nicotine content, equivalent to smoking 200 cigarettes. Lead, cadmium, copper, and nickel were found in the vapes, causing potential long-term health issues including cell damage and cancer development. Marketed as safer, illegal vapes actually pose significant health and environmental risks. Trading standards advise proper disposal of these hazardous products due to their toxic components.

January 03, 2025 by theguardian.com

Belgium has become the first EU country to ban the sale of disposable vapes, citing health and environmental concerns. The ban, effective from 1 January 2025, aims to curb nicotine addiction, particularly among young people. Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke criticized disposable vapes as harmful products designed to attract new consumers, emphasizing the addictive and damaging nature of nicotine. On the same day, Milan implemented a ban on outdoor smoking, reflecting broader EU discussions on stricter tobacco controls.

January 03, 2025 by euronews.com

Belgium has become the first EU country to ban the sale of disposable vapes, addressing public health and environmental concerns. Vaping rates in Europe remain low overall but are significantly higher among young people, as highlighted by an OECD report. Luxembourg, Estonia, and Czechia lead in vaping rates, exceeding 10%, while Bulgaria, Austria, and Croatia have rates below 1%. Among those aged 15 to 24, the average vaping rate in 2022 was 6.5%, with Estonia at 30%, the Czech Republic at 25%, and Luxembourg at 20%.