SMOKERS IN Cyprus consume more cigarettes per day than other Europeans, while almost one third of the local population smokes.

According to the Eurobarometer, Cypriots smoke an average of 21.7 cigarettes per day, followed by Greeks with 21.4 per day. The average for the EU is 14 cigarettes per day.

Stelios Sycallides of the Non-Smokers League and president of the National Coalition for the Prevention of Smoking said he was not surprised by the results although they continued to be of gave concern.

“This is the reality of it. We have had similar statistics in the past. I believe it is time we gave up this record we hold and that we came down several notches,” he said.

Sycallides attributed the island’s high smoking rates on the “effective work and success” of the tobacco industry.

Tobacco companies spent millions to promote and advertise their products and that up until the 1980s there had been little resistance locally, he said. In the past the tobacco industry even had access to people in decision making places, he added

“Then the resistance from the Anti-Cancer Society started and later the Non Smokers League was founded,” he said.

From then on there had been an ongoing, continuous activity to try and fight the problem.

“The first anti-smoking law was promoted in 1980, until we got to complete the law this year with the total ban on smoking on public places,” he said.

According to the Eurobarometer the highest percentage of smokers was found in Greece, with 42 per cent of the population smoking, compared to a 29 per cent average in the EU. In Cyprus the percentage of the smoking population stands at 32 per cent.

The survey also found that more men in Cyprus smoked than the EU average but fewer women. In Cyprus 49 per cent of men and 17 per cent of women asked said they smoked compared to the EU average of 35 per cent for men and 25 per cent for women.

Sycallides said in Cyprus there appeared to be a downward trend in male smokers.

“These are the indications. But the concern is among women where smoking rates are increasing, especially in young age groups. Although they continue to be fewer female smokers than men, it is still alarming, especially since women find it harder to quit. I don’t know why but the phenomenon has been observed everywhere,” he said.

Regarding the age groups, the largest percentage of Cypriot smokers was in the 25 to 39 year old age group with 40 per cent admitting to smoking. This was followed by 39 per cent of people aged 15 to 24 who said they smoked, 31 per cent aged 40 to 54 and 23 per cent over the age of 55.

Furthermore 22 per cent of Cypriots said they had tried to kick the habit at least once during the past twelve months, compared to 15 per cent in the EU.

Interesting news from the Montreal Gazette:

Sun worshippers and beach goers in Cyprus will have an extra luxury on offer to them this summer in the form of a massage service.

The western coastal town of Paphos is toying with proposals made by a massage parlour in the capital Nicosia, to set up a kiosk on one of the municipal stretches of sandy beach, offering a relaxing massage, further enhancing the sun, sea and sand experience.

“If the municipality’s governing council decides in favour of the proposal then we might give them a spot on one of the beaches this year to start with,” said Savvas Vergas, the mayor of Paphos.

The massage service is set to open its doors for business on June 1, and prices will be closely monitored by the local municipality, just as they do with the rental of sun loungers and umbrellas.

Tourism accounts for almost 11 percent of the island’s GDP, and British tourists make up the majority of holidaymakers to Cyprus annually.

And who best to try out the latest fad but the mayor himself. “Why not,” he said. To read the original article click here

For many visitors to Cyprus, it’s not just the sunshine and friendly people that makes it such a great holiday island, it’s the cuisine as well, and quite a few people become interested in the Mediterranean diet.

Here’s an article about the Mediterranean diet from Eva Alexander:

a) It is widely known that Mediterranean diet has high fat content.  Is weight loss still possible if people will follow this kind of diet?

Mediterranean diet is high in fats.  But these consist of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.  These are healthy fats needed by your body.  In contrast, the typical American diet is rich in saturated fats.  It should be noted also that fat content in your diet does not determine weight loss.  It is your calorie consumption that will generally influence weight loss and optimum weight management.  Mediterranean diet provides lots of healthy benefits but it is still essential to lower your calorie consumption to achieve better results.

b) What makes the Mediterranean diet different from the common American diet?

Americans consume high numbers of red meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy, while the Mediterranean includes very little. The diet also differs from the typical American diet through its dependence on fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, olive oil, beans, breads, cereals, and potatoes.

c) What is the effect of Mediterranean diet in lowering the incidence of heart disease?

Mediterranean diet plays an important role in lowering the incidences of cardiovascular disorder.  This finding has been proven by major research and studies.  More importantly, the success of the Mediterranean diet comes from the fact that it promotes a holistic approach to healthy living.  By following the Mediterranean diet, you will learn how to eat healthy and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

d) How does exercise, walking, and physical activity enter into the “recipe” for the Mediterranean diet and health?

Exercise is always essential no matter what type of diet you follow.  The best thing about the Mediterranean diet is that it encourages daily regular exercises as part of the holistic approach to achieve a healthy lifestyle.  When this type of diet was introduced in the sixties, exercise and physical activities were already part of the culture of the Mediterranean people.  For your minimum exercise needs, you have to take a daily one-hour walk and weekly full body exercise.

e) How the Mediterranean diet differ from the Low Carb diet?

The main difference between these two types of diet programs is protein.  Generally, Mediterranean diet has low protein content.  You will only get about 15 percent of your daily calorie consumption from the proteins of Mediterranean diet.

f) Wine has always been part of the Mediterranean diet.  What is the recommended daily amount for wine?

Men should generally get 5 percent calories from wine while women should consume 2.5 percent calories.  As a rule, always drink wine in low to moderate amounts daily to enjoy best results.

g) Final Recommendations

Mediterranean diet is a good program that can help you achieve good health.  This type of diet can help prevent cardiovascular diseases.  The key is to eat foods that are rich in Omega 3 and combine these with root crops, vegetable, fruits, breads, and cereals.

About the Author - Eva B. Alexander writes for the diabetes diet mediterranean blog, her personal hobby website focused Mediterranean diet healthy eating tips to live better and longer.

For Cyprus villa holidays and a map of Cyprus visit yourcyprus.info

Reuters recently ran an article about how climate change could affect Cyprus. Here’s an extract:

“Climate change is going to affect this region in a relatively strong way, and differently than northern Europe,” said Jos Lelieveld, a professor in atmospheric sciences at the Energy, Environment and Water Research Center at the non-profit Cyprus Institute.

Cyprus has a tourism intake of more than two million each year, attracted by its almost year-round sunshine and stunning beaches. The sector represents about 11 percent of its economy. But its key selling point, the sun, could be a malady if forecasts on changing weather patterns prove to be correct.

“For the tourist sector the summer seasons may become less attractive,” said Lelieveld, who is also a director at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Germany.

To read the full article click here

For a Cyprus weather forecast and holidays in Cyprus visit yourcyprus.info

How many holidays have been ruined by mosquito bites?

Too many most would argue, the sound of a mosquito buzzing round late at night in the bedroom is enough to have most people up and and about trying to track it down, while those who sleep on could wake up the next morning, their remaining holiday spoiled.

Fighting the mosquito has become more difficult over the last decade for two major reasons. First, global warming has led to an increase in the mosquito population.

The second roadblock to eradicating the mosdquito is the public’s decreasing tolerance for the use of pesticides. Reduced pesticide use is a positive thing overall. The United Nations has commisioned several studies on the worldwide impact of pesticide use. Bans on the cosmetic use of pesticides are growing increasingly common all over the world as a result.

The use of pesticides to reduce the mosquito population is a complicated problem. Some pesticides have been associated with illnesses like cancer, birth defects, chronic respiratory problems and other negative health issues. Some pesticides have been proven to cause health problems in humans. Many others remain on suspect lists.

The mosquito, on the other hand, has become more than just a cosmetic nuisance. Mosquitoes have long been some of the biggest culprits in the transmission of disease. They are known to transmit illnesses such as malaria, dengue fever and Yellow fever. One of the latest problems to emerge in North American mosquitoes is the transmission of the West Nile virus.

Humans are not the only ones affected by mosquito borne illnesses. They also affect animals. Various strains of mosquito borne viruses causing equine encephalitis are becoming more common.

Mosquito borne diseases that were once all but eradicated in some countries are beginning to emerge again. This is one reason Cyprus officials began to look into alternative methods for reducing the number of mosquitos on the holiday island. Another reason was a noticeable increase in the number of these insects. The result is a three year study on the island’s mosquito population.

Cyprus is a Mediterranean island, and the weather in Cyprus is conducive to mosquitoes - hot and sunny.

The study, which began in 2005, was a joint effort between local scientists and researchers from Greece and the United States. Together they tested a number of more environmentally friendly methods for targeting the elimination of mosquitoes. Some incorporated the use of pesticides which have little or no negative impact on humans and animals. Other methods saw certain types of natural mosquito predators introduced into key breeding areas.

The three year study yielded some fascinating results. Dragonflies turned out to be fairly effective killers. Other natural predators used included frogs, flies and fish.

Another test used the chemicals Methoprene and Pyriproxyfen. These products inhibit the growth of mosquito larva rather than killing the adult insects. Researchers in Cyprus discovered that these chemicals were effective even at half the recommended dosage.

It appears that so far tourists haven’t abandoned Cyprus as a holiday island because of the mosquito. The allure of sunshine and sandy beaches along with Cypriot culture means holidays in Cyprus are popular. It’s likely there will always be more reasons to visit Cyprus than to stay away. However, tourists on Cyprus who consider the insects vacation invaders may find the problem reduced in years to come.