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Desalination Breakthrough: Addressing Water Shortages in Cyprus with UAE’s Support

by News Editor

April 25, 2025

As Cyprus grapples with persistent water shortages, new hope is on the horizon through an impactful collaboration with the United Arab Emirates.

The coastal cities of Limassol and Paphos are set to house advanced desalination units, generously provided by the UAE’s National Energy Company, TAQA. These units are a timely intervention, especially for the Paphos district, where the water crisis is most acute.

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Following the unfortunate destruction of a desalination unit in Kouklia, efforts have accelerated to deploy mobile desalination plants. The UAE’s intervention promises an impressive 15,000 cubic meters of water daily, with Paphos receiving 5,000 cubic meters and Limassol benefiting from 10,000 cubic meters.

The strategic plan from Cyprus’s Water Development Department includes three mobile units in Limassol and one in Paphos. Each unit is designed to enhance the water supply significantly, making use of innovative technologies synonymous with the UAE’s water management expertise.

This initiative couldn’t have been possible without the proactive measures taken by Cyprus’s Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panagiotou, and her team, who visited the UAE to evaluate the desalination solutions firsthand. The partnership marks a pivotal moment in tackling water scarcity in Cyprus.

The donation from the UAE involves 15 mobile desalination units, each capable of producing up to 1,100 cubic meters of water, fully covering the island’s immediate needs. TAQA’s partnership is pivotal, emphasizing Cyprus’s strategic importance and the potential for innovative solutions in the water sector.

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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.

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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.