UK could ban fruit-flavoured vapes to crack down on overuse

Mar 30 2023

The UK government is looking to crack down on the use of vapes and could end up even banning the fruit-favourite nicotine products.

According to ITV, it is expected that Public Health minister Neil O’Brien will make a statement next month to call for an investigation into the issue. This could potentially bring the end for the fruity flavoured vapes after they were found to have risen in popularity, and rates of addiction, in recent years.

Still, the UK government is keen on promoting vaping among adults as an alternative to youth. It was found by an Ash report last year that the proportion of children aged 11 to 17 using vapes rose from 4% in 2020 to 7% in 2022.

This would follow a similar move by the Chinese government, which banned the sale of the e-cigarettes as part of a crackdown. The e-cigarettes can still be manufactured in China to be shipped around the world, but the vapes that have flavourings other than tobacco cannot be sold on the domestic market.

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Over 15,000 e-scooter rides everyday in summer confirms Minister

Mar 30 2023

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Aaron Farrugia said on Wednesday revealed plans to introduce parking bays for e-scooters in various Maltese localities due to the amount of rides which take place.

Farrugia confirmed that this proposal, which comes after the introduction of 40 parking bays in San Gwann, aims to replicate the success achieved in that locality.

Among the localities which will get parking bays include St Julian’s, Sliema, Gżira, and Ta’ Xbiex. The Minister also confirmed that there were 15,000 daily e-scooter rides in the summer.

This also comes after much pushback by the Maltese public as well as prominent figures, including Shadow Minister Adrian Delia, for more regulation in regards to the use of this alternative mode of transportation.

What do you think of this new proposal?

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Italy moves to ban lab grown meat to ‘protect food heritage’

Mar 30 2023

Italy’s government has backed a new bill that seeks to ban laboratory-produced meat and other synthetic foods.

If the proposal goes through, which highlights ‘Italian food heritage’ and ‘health protection’, breaking the ban would attract fines of up to €60,000.

Francesco Lollobrigida, who runs the rebranded ministry for agriculture and food sovereignty, cited the importance of Italy’s food tradition as part of the move. This earned the praise of the farmer’s lobby but the criticism of animal welfare groups and even the Opposition.

The production of cell-based food avoids the need for animals to be killed and is better for the environment, supporters of the practice argue.

Meanwhile, Italian health minister Orazio Schillaci said that the ban is based on precautionary principles. This echoes what the new rightwing government, led by Giorgia Meloni, promised before coming into power – protecting food from technological advancements.

Just last November, the FFDA cleared cell-cultured chicken for human consumption after ‘careful evaluation.’ Despite no approval sought by the European Food Safety Authority, the EU Commission has suggested that this could be considered a promising and innovative solution for health and environmentally friendly food systems.

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Gianluca Bezzina awarded by Prime Minister for Mużika Mużika win

Mar 30 2023

Following his victory during the third edition of Mużika Mużika, Gianluca Bezzina was awarded by Prime Minister Robert Abela in Castille.

Bezzina, who had represented Malta in the 2013 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Tomorrow’, won the prestitiogus song contest with his song ‘Sabiħa’.

Prime Minister Robert Abela congratulated the winner, saying he and his government will continue to invest into the cultural calendar of Malta.

The calendar is a ‘celebration of that which makes us Maltese and a platform for Maltese talent.’

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