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Economy and cost of living the main reasons Cypriots voted in this years European elections

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 4, 2024

The economic situation and rising prices and cost of living were the main topics that motivated Cypriots to vote in the last European elections in June this year, according to a post-electoral survey published by the European Parliament.

These were also the two main reasons for voting on the EU level (42% for cost of living and 41% for the economic situation), but the shares were much larger in Cyprus where the economic situation led with 56%, followed by rising prices and cost of life with 47%.

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The third most popular reason in Cyprus was migration and asylum (45%, compared to 38% and sixth place in the EU average), followed by education in fourth place (26%, compared to 13% in the EU) and democracy and rule of law in fifth place (24%, compared to 32% and fourth place in the EU).

The international situation was in sixth place for Cypriots tied with the defence and security of the EU (21%), while on average in the EU the global situation was picked in third place with 34% and defence and security in seventh place with 28%.

Those who did not vote in Cyprus said the cost of living (53%), migration and asylum (45%) and the economic situation (42%) could have motivated them to participate in the elections.

The European Parliament post-electoral survey across the EU was conducted between June 13th and July 8th 2024, with a total of 26,349 face-to-face interviews. In Cyprus, the survey was conducted from June 13th to July 5th, and a total of 506 face-to-face interviews.

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Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.