22% Of Maltese Are Smokers

May 31 2025

New data released by the European Parliament shows that 22% of people in Malta are smokers.

Raising awareness on World No Tobacco Day, the European Parliament emphasised how over 700,000 deaths every year are caused by tobacco.

Meanwhile, 24% of adults smoke, with nearly 30% of 15 to 24 year olds also taking up smoking. Most smokers begin before they turn 18.

‘Would you let the last 14 years of your life go up in smoke’, the EP asked. ‘That’s the average cost for half of all smokers – and it’s entirely preventable.’

It should be noted that this data doesn’t include use of other tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes and snuff.

Are you a smoker?

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Beppe Grillo Bags Another Gold For Malta In 200m

May 31 2025

Just in from Andorra – Malta’s Beppe Grillo has just bagged a beautiful Gold for Team Malta in the 200 metres as the Games of the Small States of Europe 2025 continue.

Malta has been bagging medals left and right, with Grillo’s being yet another addition to the stellar performances carried out by the athletes.

Well done and keep going Team Malta!

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Ever Borg Bonello Backs Manoel Island Public Green Space

May 31 2025

PN MP Eve Borg Bonello has made an appeal for Manoel Island to be reclaimed as a public green space, following a widely supported petition that gathered over 29,000 signatures.

In a video message, she described the island as “our last chance” to create meaningful open space in an area increasingly choked by construction and congestion.

Borg Bonello criticised the government’s spending priorities, arguing that funding should be redirected from wasteful deals and PR efforts towards genuine community investment.

She called on authorities to revisit the concession contract with MIDI and renegotiate terms to return the land to the public. “Let’s head back to the negotiating table and get as much as we can,” she urged.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech welcomed the petition’s aims but emphasised the need to respect existing contractual obligations.

Grech described the vision of a national park as a “beautiful dream” but said commitments made under the original agreement must be honoured.

Borg Bonello is not the only PN MP to support the petition. Albert Buttigieg, Rebekah Borg, Graham Bencini, Claudette Buttigieg, and Ivan Bartolo have also endorsed the campaign.

What do you think?

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Żabbar Street Dressed In Colourful Umbrellas For Street Festival

May 31 2025

One of the main streets in Żabbar has been transformed with a colourful and eye-catching display of umbrellas, part of a large-scale artistic installation that will remain in place for several days.

Originally launched in 2018 by then-Mayor Marc Vella Bonnici, the initiative quickly became a local favourite, drawing thousands of visitors. Now, six years later, the Għaqda Madonna tal-Grazzja Banda San Mikiel has brought the idea back to life, once again attracting strong public interest.

The installation was officially unveiled earlier today, with volunteers who contributed to the project present at the launch. Marc Vella Bonnici expressed his gratitude to all those involved, saying he was pleased to see the return of this creative effort.

Band Club President Quinton Scerri shared his pride that a voluntary organisation had led such a significant project, aimed at celebrating and strengthening Żabbar’s community spirit.

Also in attendance was Parliamentary Secretary for Public Cleanliness Glenn Bedingfield, who thanked the volunteers and praised the initiative for revitalising the town centre.

The umbrella display will be accompanied by several events. This evening, the UEFA Champions League final will be screened live, along with family-friendly activities. On Sunday from 10am, Żabbar will host a car show, children’s games, an artisan market, family entertainment, and a fundraising marathon for the town’s annual feast.

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