Health

BAT: Need for a ‘consistent’ science-based view on e-cigarettes

The public health community needs to adopt a consistent science-based view on new generation tobacco products in order to properly inform regulators around the world and thereby shape a stable framework, James Murphy, the head of Reduced Risk Substantiation at British American Tobacco (BAT) told EURACTIV.com in an interview.

Disparities remain on how to tackle lung cancer in Europe, report says

Enhanced prevention measures, especially against tobacco and electronic cigarettes, combined with access to innovative treatments can help tackle rising lung cancer cases in Europe, a new study funded by the industry has found.

EU should be ambitious on materials in contact with drinking water

All EU citizens have the right to high-quality drinking water, write representatives from drinking water suppliers, consumer NGO and industrial manufacturers of materials in contact with drinking water. Stephen Russell is secretary-general of the European Consumers Association (ANEC), Dr Claudia...

Trade secrets called into question in ‘Implant Files’ investigation

The French transposition of the European directive on trade secrets has hindered access to certain documents required for the “Implant Files” investigation. EURACTIV France reports.

No decline in discrimination against people of African descent in EU

People of African descent born in Europe face systemic racism in the EU, stated a report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. Moreover, European institutions are struggling to lead by example. EURACTIV France reports.

The European Commission should shelve its patent law proposal

The European Commission is considering an initiative that would permanently hobble the continent's economy, writes Jan Fischer.

Protecting the spark, avoiding the storm

Mental health issues cost EU countries more than €600 billion

In many EU countries, mental health is still a taboo. However, the economic impact of psychological disorders is a loss of 4% of GDP and changes in the labour market only aggravate the situation, according to a report by the OECD.

EU climate plan teases €200bn in health savings per year

Europe stands to avoid €200 billion in healthcare costs every year and significantly reduce premature deaths if the EU ends up adopting an ambitious climate change policy for 2050, according to the European Commission's long-term strategy.

New EU plan comes out fighting for ‘climate neutrality’ by 2050

The European Commission will unveil its long-awaited strategy for a “climate-neutral Europe” later on Wednesday (28 November), in an effort to show EU countries how to stick to the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Alternatives to animal testing – the state of progress

Download PDF  

The EU ban on animal testing for cosmetic products came into force in 2013, although  testing is still allowed in Europe for healthcare products and pharmaceuticals, as well as some chemicals and food.

Debating mandatory or voluntary vaccination is ‘absolutely useless’, says EU health chief

Medical experts, not politicians, should decide whether vaccination should be mandatory or not, EU health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis told reporters on Thursday (21 November), adding that the only relevant objective is to reach maximum coverage.

EU’s new draft food law weak on traceability, activists warn

Insecticides in eggs, salmonella in baby milk – how can major food scandals continue to occur, despite strict EU rules? The EU is currently revising its food law but for consumer protection campaigners, the proposals do not go far enough to ensure full traceability. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Can e-cigarettes help people quit smoking?

Electronic cigarettes and novel tobacco products have emerged as alternatives to traditional smoking, which is responsible for nearly 700,000 deaths every year in the EU.

Women’s reproductive safety – the most important moral concern

Women in Europe are still dying because doctors refuse to perform abortions. Caroline Hickson explains why moral concerns should not stand in the way of the primary goal of any healthcare system, to care for and protect its patients by providing quality care for all.

No freedom of choice in vaccination, top EU health official insists

There is no freedom of choice when it comes to vaccination because it involves putting other people’s health at risk, a top EU health official has warned, adding that ongoing debate in Italy about inoculations is verging "on the absurd".