As Belgium’s disposable vape ban looms, health minister urges EU to change smoking rules
European Commission has delayed updated EU rules on tobacco products.
Tobacco and Nicotine
Countries back Brussels’ plan to ban outdoor vaping
But Hungary’s minister reminded countries that the move was nonbinding, as Germany and Greece abstained.
MEPs reject smoking ban plan
The vote is symbolic but lawmakers still couldn’t come to an agreement.
France plans ban on nicotine pouches
Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq said they are “dangerous” products.
Saudi oil giant spends well over a billion on ‘sportswashing,’ new report says
Fossil-fuel companies are the new patrons of Big Sport, according to think tank New Weather Institute.
The job no one wants: EU health commissioner
Health policy is looking like the poor cousin and is likely to be downgraded this mandate.
It’s time to address this leading cause of death: COPD
A new report about the global state of COPD offers insights from 30 national experts on how policy action can be implemented worldwide.
Ireland preparing tough new tobacco and nicotine regulations following public consultation [Advocacy Lab Content]
Ireland’s Minister for Health has published a public consultation to evaluate a push for new, tougher tobacco and vaping regulations. Ireland is one of 12 EU countries advocating for stricter vaping rules.
UK looking at tighter outdoor smoking rules, Starmer confirms
Ministers are mulling plans to ban smoking in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants and sports grounds.
Nigel Farage threatens to stop going to the pub
The Reform UK leader’s protest comes as Britain mulls a ban on smoking outside pubs.
UK’s Labour to reintroduce tobacco ban, but backs off on disposable vapes
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill would ban anyone born after January 2009 from buying cigarettes.
UK inflation stays at 2 percent target in June
But services are still making life difficult for the Bank of England.
Labour’s top policy priorities
A deep dive into what Keir Starmer’s government will tackle in their first 100 days and then in their first year.
Vandenbroucke is a top pick for EU health commissioner. But the chances are slim.
Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke has a great CV for the EU’s top health post. But will Belgium let him go?
Labour’s election policy positions, tracked
Absolutely everything you need to know about what the opposition party is promising ahead of the July 4 election.
UK parliament’s tobacco lovers see their habit go up in smoke
As the government seeks to ban tobacco sales to younger generations, parliament’s pipe and cigar enthusiasts are feeling nostalgic.
Britain’s Conservatives just agreed the world’s toughest smoking ban. Tory MPs hate it
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to stub out cigarettes for future generations — but a chunk of his own MPs are railing against it.
Boris Johnson evokes cigar-chomping Winston Churchill in swipe at ‘mad’ UK smoking ban
The former British prime minister used a speech in Canada to attack the policies of his successor, Rishi Sunak.
UK Budget 2024: All the highlights
POLITICO watched Jeremy Hunt’s big fiscal event so you didn’t have to.
Next Commission will make ‘political’ decisions on tobacco directive, EU official says
Political decisions about the future of novel tobacco and nicotine products in Europe will be made by the next European Commission, EU spokesperson Stefan de Keersmaecker told EURACTIV, punting tobacco firmly beyond June’s elections.
Lower obesity in the Netherlands? Fat chance, says government
Health agency abandons target to cut obesity rates in a country where half of adults are overweight.
Europe’s war against tobacco has a new target: Nicotine
As the market for nicotine pouches grows, Brussels is eyeing regulation.
Speaking Up for COPD: A global call for policy action
Transformation in COPD care is underway as Speak Up for COPD unites policymakers, healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, NGOs, and pharmaceutical industry to help make COPD a public health priority.
Every bill in the King’s Speech, reviewed and rated
POLITICO combs through Rishi Sunak’s legislative agenda — as read out by King Charles III — so you don’t have to.
Why Charles III will hate every word of his first King’s Speech
Britain’s eco-warrior monarch will unveil PM Rishi Sunak’s highly-political legislative agenda on Tuesday.
MEP Maria Arena and her son: A joint passion for cannabis
Belgian lawmaker co-founded medicinal marijuana group without declaring son’s CBD business.
Putting hearts first when it comes to aging healthily
Heart failure is the greatest health risk facing our aging population. Governments can help prevent premature death and ‘add life to our years’ with immediate action and investment in accessible diagnostics.
Kessler ruling threatens more tensions over EU justice system
Ex-OLAF chief Giovanni Kessler received a one-year suspended prison sentence over his handling of a probe involving John Dalli.
Teen vaping: Did the EU get it wrong on e-cigarettes?
An explosion in vaping rates among kids is prompting Europe to rethink its approach to regulation.
Snus on the loose: How Swedish chewing tobacco keeps dividing Brussels
Lawmakers can’t agree whether snus is a potent alternative to cigarettes or a back door for Big Tobacco.
Sex, lies and stolen sunglasses: The 11 most embarrassing political resignations
From watching porn to stealing sandwiches, these are the most humiliating reasons to leave office.
Report: Tobacco and food giants made billions in Russia after Ukraine invasion
Global companies made $214 billion in revenue and paid $3.5 billion in taxes, finds study by Ukrainian civil society and Kyiv School of Economics.