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Beyoncé Makes History With First-Ever Grammy Win For ‘Cowboy Carter’

In a historic moment for Beyoncé, the music icon secured her first-ever Album of the Year Grammy at the 2024 ceremony, with her country-inspired album Cowboy Carter. This victory came after years of being nominated but never clinching the prestigious award, despite accumulating more lifetime Grammys than any other artist.

Beyoncé, visibly moved, took the stage to express her gratitude: “I feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years,” she said, her words resonating with the audience.

Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar dominated the night, taking home both Record of the Year and Song of the Year for his fiery track “Not Like Us,” a powerful diss aimed at Canadian rapper and singer Drake.

The title of Best New Artist went to Chappell Roan, lead singer of Pink Pony Club, who used her platform to call for better treatment of musicians by record labels. She passionately advocated for fair wages and healthcare for artists, recalling how she once felt “dehumanized” by the lack of health insurance. “Labels, we got you, but do you got us?” Roan asked, delivering a powerful message to the industry.

This year’s Grammys were more than just a celebration of music; they also served as a fundraiser for victims of the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, which had claimed 29 lives and displaced thousands, including numerous musicians. The show, which aired live on CBS, kicked off with an emotional performance of “I Love LA,” featuring an all-star ensemble of musicians including Dawes, John Legend, Brad Paisley, St. Vincent, and Brittany Howard. Host Trevor Noah acknowledged the dual purpose of the evening, saying, “Tonight, we are not only celebrating our favourite music, but also the city that has given us so much of it.” Throughout the night, Noah encouraged viewers to contribute to the relief efforts.

The winners of the Grammy Awards are selected by the 13,000 members of the Recording Academy, including singers, songwriters, producers, and engineers.

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

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.

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