
One of the biggest omissions in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech was plans for plain packaging for cigarettes. Although Westminster insiders told me Labour were keen for its inclusion, a more circumspect Coalition may have chosen to avoid the issue. Both the
by David Atherton5 Jun 2014, 4:26 AM PST0

I reported on the April 25th the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) was aiming to classify electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) as tobacco products. This means that the same restrictions on advertising, taxation, access and public use will apply to them too, and may
by David Atherton30 May 2014, 4:35 AM PST0

by David Atherton16 May 2014, 2:26 AM PST0

Readers may have seen both debates that Nick Clegg had with Nigel Farage on the future the UK’s relationship with Europe. In the second debate on the 2nd April, the Deputy Prime Minister cited government research stating that 7 percent
by David Atherton10 May 2014, 4:08 AM PST0

A new study from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, combining an impressive six hundred other studies, describes the severe effects wind turbines can have on wildlife. Not only are the disturbances and noise of the building of turbines an
by David Atherton8 May 2014, 7:43 AM PST0

It is reported today that Britain’s Labour Party leader Ed Miliband has a new policy document out which aims to improve the health of the nation, the measures include: Minimum priced alcohol aimed at “preloading” (pre-gaming) teenagers before going out;
by David Atherton4 May 2014, 5:18 AM PST0

Yesterday, the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) desire to introduce minimum unit price (MUP) alcohol in Scotland temporarily failed. The Scottish Whisky Association (SWA) and other European drinks manufacturers have won their appeal at the Court of Session under Lord Ronald
by David Atherton1 May 2014, 5:14 AM PST0

This week the World Health Organization (WHO), along with the American Federal Drug Administration (FDA), appear to be on the cusp of classifying electronic cigarettes (ECs) as tobacco products, in a move dubbed “hugely unhelpful for the public health.” The
by David Atherton25 Apr 2014, 6:21 AM PST0

Australia has now had a full year of ‘plain packaging’ of cigarettes. Uncompromising pictures of smoking-related illnesses are set to a backdrop of a deliberately unattractive olive green colouring, with an identical font to signify the brand. The British Conservative-led
by David Atherton20 Apr 2014, 6:21 AM PST0

A new study has found that people with a sedentary lifestyle live longer than marathon runners. The study by Dr. Martin Matsumura, co-director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Leigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, PA, confounds expectations, with
by David Atherton10 Apr 2014, 6:02 AM PST0

New York City is set to challenge an epidemic of bootleg tobacco as a result of high taxes on cigarettes. The situation is similar to other areas of the world, where criminal gangs are finding themselves by selling cheaper tobacco
by David Atherton3 Apr 2014, 4:55 AM PST0

Vegetarians are less healthy and have a worse quality of life than meat eaters, according to a study by the University of Graz, Austria. According to the study, those who abstain from meat are “less healthy (in terms of cancer,
by David Atherton1 Apr 2014, 3:51 AM PST0

The European Union (EU) – obsessed with climate change, cutting carbon emissions and saving polar bears – may have been hoist by its own foreign policy petard. Vladimir Putin’s threat to cut off natural gas supplies which supply 30 percent
by David Atherton30 Mar 2014, 4:40 AM PST0

A blue-gray hue of gyrating marijuana smoke may become a more common sight in next door’s backyard or in a private club near you. President Nixon declared war on drugs in 1971, but forty-three years of attempted drug prohibition maybe
by David Atherton6 Mar 2014, 2:44 AM PST0

Like the terrier who won’t release the slipper in its jaws, politicians and health charities can’t save themselves from alcohol and soda prohibition. It is a current topic now and will be for years to come. The left doesn’t seem
by David Atherton28 Feb 2014, 2:24 AM PST0

After three years of tortuous debate, the European Parliament voted and passed the Tobacco Product Directive by 514 votes to 66. Certainly, the sacking by Manuel Barroso of Maltese Health Commissioner John Dalli for allegedly soliciting a bribe of €60
by David Atherton26 Feb 2014, 9:38 AM PST0