France to Ban Disposable E-cigarettes

File photo: man smokes an e-cigarette at a cafe in Dubai. Photo: Reuters
File photo: man smokes an e-cigarette at a cafe in Dubai. Photo: Reuters
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France to Ban Disposable E-cigarettes

File photo: man smokes an e-cigarette at a cafe in Dubai. Photo: Reuters
File photo: man smokes an e-cigarette at a cafe in Dubai. Photo: Reuters

France plans to ban disposable electronic cigarettes, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said on radio station RTL on Sunday.

“It’s an important public health issue,” said Borne, adding that the government is drawing up plans for a national program to fight tobacco use that she said was responsible for 75,000 deaths a year in France.
So-called "puff" devices generate habits among young people that can lead to tobacco addiction, she added.
However, the government does not plan to raise taxes on tobacco next year after an increase this year, the prime minister said.
French President Emmanuel Macron in 2021 set out ambitious plans to tackle tobacco and alcohol, pledging more smoking-free areas and aiming to make all 20-year-olds tobacco-free by 2030, Reuters reported.



Saudi 1st First Women Wildlife Ranger Unit Celebrates 5,000th Patrol

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Saudi 1st First Women Wildlife Ranger Unit Celebrates 5,000th Patrol

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority announced in a press release on Thursday the 5,000th patrol by Saudi Arabia's first women wildlife ranger unit.
Reserve development authority CEO Andrew Zaloumis stated that the women rangers' team is exploring new horizons one patrol at a time.

According to SPA, he emphasized that women's conservation teams are crucial, and noted that the reserve has focused on empowering women—who comprise 33% of the 183-strong team, well above the global average of less than 11%.
Zaloumis attributed the success to a female-led team within the reserve, from executive management to the socio-economic development unit, which collaborates with local women to build their capacity as conservation leaders.
Since their historic induction in 2022, these women have played a vital role in conserving the reserve's natural and cultural heritage while paving the way for women in Saudi Arabia to pursue careers in conservation.