As Deadline Nears, Civil Society Urges Spain to Nominate María Neira in WHO DG Election 21/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen With Thursday’s 24 September deadline looming, international scientific societies and civil society leaders are pushing Spain to sponsor a last-minute nomination of Dr María Neira as candidate in the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General election. Neira is WHO’s former Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, and her nomination has been endorsed by Nobel Peace […] Continue reading -> Twenty Five Years After 9/11 Attacks, New Center To Uncover Impact on Youngest Survivors 11/09/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A new CDC research center aims to better understand the possible health effects of those 21 years or younger at the time of their 9/11 exposure. For the past two decades, the World Trade Center (WTC) health program has pioneered research exploring the health effects of people exposed to the toxic dust and trauma of […] Continue reading -> EU is Failing to Stem Illegal Tobacco Trade and Rising Health Risks, Auditors Warn 08/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Fragmented enforcement and uncoordinated policies fail to stem the illegal tobacco trade in Europe, a new report by the EU Court of Auditors finds. The surge of unregulated novel nicotine products and a shift toward illegal manufacturing sites expose significant regulatory gaps. The auditors demand that Brussels take a more active role to establish a […] Continue reading -> Palau banned e-cigarettes. Now we’re asking the harder question 22/06/2026 Valerie R Whipps The island country in the western Pacific Ocean has initiated a World Health Organization (WHO) review of nicotine in terms of the United Nations (UN) Convention on Psychotropic Substances In 2023, I stood in a room among other Palauan mothers, school principals, teachers, and students who had come to witness the signing of Palau’s comprehensive […] Continue reading -> European Parliament Deadlock On Higher Tobacco and Nicotine Taxes Leaves Decision to Divided European Council 19/06/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The European Parliament on Wednesday defeated a proposal to freeze cigarette excise taxes at a 60% rate of retail value – throwing a final decision on tobacco and nicotine policies into the court of the European Council of Ministers. But the politically divided EU Council is unlikely to raises taxes anywhere near the bar set […] Continue reading -> Longer Pollen Seasons, Extreme Heat and Wildfires – The Climate Change Cost to Lung Health 25/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The growing impact of climate change on respiratory health, including through longer pollen seasons, wildfires and more exterme heat, was the focus of an high-level event on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, organized by the Geneva Health Forum and Health Diplomacy Alliance. The event followed on the heels of a […] Continue reading -> Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Air Quality Worsens Globally – Share of Cities Meeting WHO Guidelines Declines 24/03/2026 Chetan Bhattacharji Pakistan had the most polluted air in the world overall in 2025, and Delhi was the most polluted capital for the seventh time in the last eight years of reporting by the Swiss-based IQAir. A town bordering India’s capital is the world’s most polluted place. Despite covering nearly 9,500 cities, pollution data gaps leave millions […] Continue reading -> UN Rapporteur Signals Legal Shift to Hold Air Polluters Accountable 10/03/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen While air pollution claims more than eight million lives annually, the burden of proving exactly which air polluters or tailpipes caused a specific lung cancer or child’s asthma attack has rested firmly on the shoulders of the sick. That is about to change, according to a landmark United Nations (UN) report by Astrid Puentes Riaño, […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Twenty Five Years After 9/11 Attacks, New Center To Uncover Impact on Youngest Survivors 11/09/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A new CDC research center aims to better understand the possible health effects of those 21 years or younger at the time of their 9/11 exposure. For the past two decades, the World Trade Center (WTC) health program has pioneered research exploring the health effects of people exposed to the toxic dust and trauma of […] Continue reading -> EU is Failing to Stem Illegal Tobacco Trade and Rising Health Risks, Auditors Warn 08/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Fragmented enforcement and uncoordinated policies fail to stem the illegal tobacco trade in Europe, a new report by the EU Court of Auditors finds. The surge of unregulated novel nicotine products and a shift toward illegal manufacturing sites expose significant regulatory gaps. The auditors demand that Brussels take a more active role to establish a […] Continue reading -> Palau banned e-cigarettes. Now we’re asking the harder question 22/06/2026 Valerie R Whipps The island country in the western Pacific Ocean has initiated a World Health Organization (WHO) review of nicotine in terms of the United Nations (UN) Convention on Psychotropic Substances In 2023, I stood in a room among other Palauan mothers, school principals, teachers, and students who had come to witness the signing of Palau’s comprehensive […] Continue reading -> European Parliament Deadlock On Higher Tobacco and Nicotine Taxes Leaves Decision to Divided European Council 19/06/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The European Parliament on Wednesday defeated a proposal to freeze cigarette excise taxes at a 60% rate of retail value – throwing a final decision on tobacco and nicotine policies into the court of the European Council of Ministers. But the politically divided EU Council is unlikely to raises taxes anywhere near the bar set […] Continue reading -> Longer Pollen Seasons, Extreme Heat and Wildfires – The Climate Change Cost to Lung Health 25/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The growing impact of climate change on respiratory health, including through longer pollen seasons, wildfires and more exterme heat, was the focus of an high-level event on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, organized by the Geneva Health Forum and Health Diplomacy Alliance. The event followed on the heels of a […] Continue reading -> Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Air Quality Worsens Globally – Share of Cities Meeting WHO Guidelines Declines 24/03/2026 Chetan Bhattacharji Pakistan had the most polluted air in the world overall in 2025, and Delhi was the most polluted capital for the seventh time in the last eight years of reporting by the Swiss-based IQAir. A town bordering India’s capital is the world’s most polluted place. Despite covering nearly 9,500 cities, pollution data gaps leave millions […] Continue reading -> UN Rapporteur Signals Legal Shift to Hold Air Polluters Accountable 10/03/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen While air pollution claims more than eight million lives annually, the burden of proving exactly which air polluters or tailpipes caused a specific lung cancer or child’s asthma attack has rested firmly on the shoulders of the sick. That is about to change, according to a landmark United Nations (UN) report by Astrid Puentes Riaño, […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
EU is Failing to Stem Illegal Tobacco Trade and Rising Health Risks, Auditors Warn 08/09/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Fragmented enforcement and uncoordinated policies fail to stem the illegal tobacco trade in Europe, a new report by the EU Court of Auditors finds. The surge of unregulated novel nicotine products and a shift toward illegal manufacturing sites expose significant regulatory gaps. The auditors demand that Brussels take a more active role to establish a […] Continue reading -> Palau banned e-cigarettes. Now we’re asking the harder question 22/06/2026 Valerie R Whipps The island country in the western Pacific Ocean has initiated a World Health Organization (WHO) review of nicotine in terms of the United Nations (UN) Convention on Psychotropic Substances In 2023, I stood in a room among other Palauan mothers, school principals, teachers, and students who had come to witness the signing of Palau’s comprehensive […] Continue reading -> European Parliament Deadlock On Higher Tobacco and Nicotine Taxes Leaves Decision to Divided European Council 19/06/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The European Parliament on Wednesday defeated a proposal to freeze cigarette excise taxes at a 60% rate of retail value – throwing a final decision on tobacco and nicotine policies into the court of the European Council of Ministers. But the politically divided EU Council is unlikely to raises taxes anywhere near the bar set […] Continue reading -> Longer Pollen Seasons, Extreme Heat and Wildfires – The Climate Change Cost to Lung Health 25/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The growing impact of climate change on respiratory health, including through longer pollen seasons, wildfires and more exterme heat, was the focus of an high-level event on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, organized by the Geneva Health Forum and Health Diplomacy Alliance. The event followed on the heels of a […] Continue reading -> Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Air Quality Worsens Globally – Share of Cities Meeting WHO Guidelines Declines 24/03/2026 Chetan Bhattacharji Pakistan had the most polluted air in the world overall in 2025, and Delhi was the most polluted capital for the seventh time in the last eight years of reporting by the Swiss-based IQAir. A town bordering India’s capital is the world’s most polluted place. Despite covering nearly 9,500 cities, pollution data gaps leave millions […] Continue reading -> UN Rapporteur Signals Legal Shift to Hold Air Polluters Accountable 10/03/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen While air pollution claims more than eight million lives annually, the burden of proving exactly which air polluters or tailpipes caused a specific lung cancer or child’s asthma attack has rested firmly on the shoulders of the sick. That is about to change, according to a landmark United Nations (UN) report by Astrid Puentes Riaño, […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Palau banned e-cigarettes. Now we’re asking the harder question 22/06/2026 Valerie R Whipps The island country in the western Pacific Ocean has initiated a World Health Organization (WHO) review of nicotine in terms of the United Nations (UN) Convention on Psychotropic Substances In 2023, I stood in a room among other Palauan mothers, school principals, teachers, and students who had come to witness the signing of Palau’s comprehensive […] Continue reading -> European Parliament Deadlock On Higher Tobacco and Nicotine Taxes Leaves Decision to Divided European Council 19/06/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The European Parliament on Wednesday defeated a proposal to freeze cigarette excise taxes at a 60% rate of retail value – throwing a final decision on tobacco and nicotine policies into the court of the European Council of Ministers. But the politically divided EU Council is unlikely to raises taxes anywhere near the bar set […] Continue reading -> Longer Pollen Seasons, Extreme Heat and Wildfires – The Climate Change Cost to Lung Health 25/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The growing impact of climate change on respiratory health, including through longer pollen seasons, wildfires and more exterme heat, was the focus of an high-level event on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, organized by the Geneva Health Forum and Health Diplomacy Alliance. The event followed on the heels of a […] Continue reading -> Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Air Quality Worsens Globally – Share of Cities Meeting WHO Guidelines Declines 24/03/2026 Chetan Bhattacharji Pakistan had the most polluted air in the world overall in 2025, and Delhi was the most polluted capital for the seventh time in the last eight years of reporting by the Swiss-based IQAir. A town bordering India’s capital is the world’s most polluted place. Despite covering nearly 9,500 cities, pollution data gaps leave millions […] Continue reading -> UN Rapporteur Signals Legal Shift to Hold Air Polluters Accountable 10/03/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen While air pollution claims more than eight million lives annually, the burden of proving exactly which air polluters or tailpipes caused a specific lung cancer or child’s asthma attack has rested firmly on the shoulders of the sick. That is about to change, according to a landmark United Nations (UN) report by Astrid Puentes Riaño, […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
European Parliament Deadlock On Higher Tobacco and Nicotine Taxes Leaves Decision to Divided European Council 19/06/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The European Parliament on Wednesday defeated a proposal to freeze cigarette excise taxes at a 60% rate of retail value – throwing a final decision on tobacco and nicotine policies into the court of the European Council of Ministers. But the politically divided EU Council is unlikely to raises taxes anywhere near the bar set […] Continue reading -> Longer Pollen Seasons, Extreme Heat and Wildfires – The Climate Change Cost to Lung Health 25/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The growing impact of climate change on respiratory health, including through longer pollen seasons, wildfires and more exterme heat, was the focus of an high-level event on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, organized by the Geneva Health Forum and Health Diplomacy Alliance. The event followed on the heels of a […] Continue reading -> Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Air Quality Worsens Globally – Share of Cities Meeting WHO Guidelines Declines 24/03/2026 Chetan Bhattacharji Pakistan had the most polluted air in the world overall in 2025, and Delhi was the most polluted capital for the seventh time in the last eight years of reporting by the Swiss-based IQAir. A town bordering India’s capital is the world’s most polluted place. Despite covering nearly 9,500 cities, pollution data gaps leave millions […] Continue reading -> UN Rapporteur Signals Legal Shift to Hold Air Polluters Accountable 10/03/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen While air pollution claims more than eight million lives annually, the burden of proving exactly which air polluters or tailpipes caused a specific lung cancer or child’s asthma attack has rested firmly on the shoulders of the sick. That is about to change, according to a landmark United Nations (UN) report by Astrid Puentes Riaño, […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Longer Pollen Seasons, Extreme Heat and Wildfires – The Climate Change Cost to Lung Health 25/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The growing impact of climate change on respiratory health, including through longer pollen seasons, wildfires and more exterme heat, was the focus of an high-level event on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, organized by the Geneva Health Forum and Health Diplomacy Alliance. The event followed on the heels of a […] Continue reading -> Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Air Quality Worsens Globally – Share of Cities Meeting WHO Guidelines Declines 24/03/2026 Chetan Bhattacharji Pakistan had the most polluted air in the world overall in 2025, and Delhi was the most polluted capital for the seventh time in the last eight years of reporting by the Swiss-based IQAir. A town bordering India’s capital is the world’s most polluted place. Despite covering nearly 9,500 cities, pollution data gaps leave millions […] Continue reading -> UN Rapporteur Signals Legal Shift to Hold Air Polluters Accountable 10/03/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen While air pollution claims more than eight million lives annually, the burden of proving exactly which air polluters or tailpipes caused a specific lung cancer or child’s asthma attack has rested firmly on the shoulders of the sick. That is about to change, according to a landmark United Nations (UN) report by Astrid Puentes Riaño, […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Air Quality Worsens Globally – Share of Cities Meeting WHO Guidelines Declines 24/03/2026 Chetan Bhattacharji Pakistan had the most polluted air in the world overall in 2025, and Delhi was the most polluted capital for the seventh time in the last eight years of reporting by the Swiss-based IQAir. A town bordering India’s capital is the world’s most polluted place. Despite covering nearly 9,500 cities, pollution data gaps leave millions […] Continue reading -> UN Rapporteur Signals Legal Shift to Hold Air Polluters Accountable 10/03/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen While air pollution claims more than eight million lives annually, the burden of proving exactly which air polluters or tailpipes caused a specific lung cancer or child’s asthma attack has rested firmly on the shoulders of the sick. That is about to change, according to a landmark United Nations (UN) report by Astrid Puentes Riaño, […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Air Quality Worsens Globally – Share of Cities Meeting WHO Guidelines Declines 24/03/2026 Chetan Bhattacharji Pakistan had the most polluted air in the world overall in 2025, and Delhi was the most polluted capital for the seventh time in the last eight years of reporting by the Swiss-based IQAir. A town bordering India’s capital is the world’s most polluted place. Despite covering nearly 9,500 cities, pollution data gaps leave millions […] Continue reading -> UN Rapporteur Signals Legal Shift to Hold Air Polluters Accountable 10/03/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen While air pollution claims more than eight million lives annually, the burden of proving exactly which air polluters or tailpipes caused a specific lung cancer or child’s asthma attack has rested firmly on the shoulders of the sick. That is about to change, according to a landmark United Nations (UN) report by Astrid Puentes Riaño, […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Air Quality Worsens Globally – Share of Cities Meeting WHO Guidelines Declines 24/03/2026 Chetan Bhattacharji Pakistan had the most polluted air in the world overall in 2025, and Delhi was the most polluted capital for the seventh time in the last eight years of reporting by the Swiss-based IQAir. A town bordering India’s capital is the world’s most polluted place. Despite covering nearly 9,500 cities, pollution data gaps leave millions […] Continue reading -> UN Rapporteur Signals Legal Shift to Hold Air Polluters Accountable 10/03/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen While air pollution claims more than eight million lives annually, the burden of proving exactly which air polluters or tailpipes caused a specific lung cancer or child’s asthma attack has rested firmly on the shoulders of the sick. That is about to change, according to a landmark United Nations (UN) report by Astrid Puentes Riaño, […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
UN Rapporteur Signals Legal Shift to Hold Air Polluters Accountable 10/03/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen While air pollution claims more than eight million lives annually, the burden of proving exactly which air polluters or tailpipes caused a specific lung cancer or child’s asthma attack has rested firmly on the shoulders of the sick. That is about to change, according to a landmark United Nations (UN) report by Astrid Puentes Riaño, […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts