Breaking news

Cyprus Industrial Production Falls 4.9% In November Amid Sectoral Shifts

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 31, 2025

Industrial production in Cyprus declined by 4.9% in November 2024, with the Industrial Production Index dropping to 102.7 units (base 2021=100), according to data released by the Cyprus Statistical Service on Thursday.

A major contributing factor to the decline was a 44.2% drop in the manufacturing of non-metallic mineral products, largely impacted by a strike in the ready-mix concrete sector that lasted from early November to early December.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Manufacturing And Mining Suffer, Utilities Show Growth

The manufacturing sector recorded a 6.1% year-on-year decline in November, while mining and quarrying saw an even sharper contraction of 23.6%. Conversely, some industries posted gains, with water supply and materials recovery increasing by 11.4%, and electricity supply rising slightly by 0.7%.

Within manufacturing, the strongest growth came from machinery and equipment production, including motor vehicles and transport equipment (up 13.7%), rubber and plastic products (up 7.5%), and electronic and optical products (up 6.9%).

However, significant downturns were observed in non-metallic mineral products (down 44.2%), paper products and printing (down 18%), and furniture manufacturing and machinery repair/installation (down 14.4%).

Year-to-Date Performance Shows Overall Growth

Despite November’s decline, industrial production for the period January–November 2024 remained positive, registering a 2.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

The most notable year-to-date growth was recorded in water collection, treatment, and supply (up 22.8%), electronic and optical products manufacturing (up 12.2%), and machinery and transport equipment production (up 9.9%). Mining and quarrying, which showed a steep drop in November, still recorded an 8% increase over the 11 months.

On the downside, paper products and printing (down 11.7%), non-metallic mineral products (down 4.9%), and textiles, apparel, and leather goods manufacturing (down 4.5%) were among the hardest-hit industries.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

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.