Recent Media Coverage

EUROBRIDGE Ltd wishes to draw your attention to issues which affect you directly.

New EU regulation to cut down roaming fees on mobile phones

The EC has plans to introduce cost orientation and remove the roaming fee for mobile phones paid while receiving a call abroad. This regulation could also introduce a new 'home-pricing principle', where as an EU mobile user abroad you pay the same call charges you do at home.

You either pay a local call rate, if you call within that country, or a 'normal' international call rate.  However, further clarification will be required on exactly what 'normal' means.

MICROSOFT GIANT MOVES ON

 Bill Gates says he will end his day-to-day role as head of software giant Microsoft by 2008, to focus on his charity

 EUROPEAN YEAR OF WORKERS’ MOBILITY 2006

          Towards a European Labour Market

 Why are people moving around Europe?

 Freedom of movement was one of the founding principles of the EU, but European citizens remain surprisingly reluctant to take advantage of that. For what reason are people moving.

2006 has been designated the European Year for Workers’ Mobility. On this site you can find out more about activities and events carried out in the framework of the Year, and access a wealth of information on workers' mobility. It aims to open up the debate on the real benefits and challenges of working abroad or changing job.

 EU LAUNCHES HEALTH INTERNET PORTAL

 European citizens can now get clear reliable information on health matters through a new service called Health EU Portal

 A new European Public Health Portal was launched last week which aims to provide a gateway to simple and reliable health information on topics ranging from bio-terrorism to babies' health, and infectious diseases to health insurance.

The material is divided into six themes:

- My Health - information on women's health, people with disabilities, babies and children (such as nutritional advice)
- Health Problems - information on particular diseases such as cancer, mental health and cardiovascular disease
- My Lifestyle - information on drugs, tobacco, lifestyle, leisure and travel advice (such as detail on what to do if you get sick in another EU country)
- My Environment - information on consumer rights
- Care for Me - information on long term care, insurance, mobility and medicines
- Health in the EU - information on research, indicators and statistics

The portal is currently only available in English - but it is planned that it will be translated into all 20 official EU languages.

EUROPEAN HOLIDAY TRENDS SURVEY

 What are the Europeans’ latest holiday habits?

 6 Out of 10 Europeans in 2006 booked their holiday between June and September. Most of them do not take more than 2 weeks.  81% of Europeans choose to stay in Europe because of threats of terrorism and avian flu.

 The Brits take the lead to spend their holiday abroad, followed by the French and then the Spanish. Preferred destinations are: France, Italy and Spain.  61% Go on holiday to relax.

 7 Our of 10 book well in advance. 31% Leave it to the last minute.  Many today use internet for bookings.

SMOKING IN EUROPE

It doesn't matter if it's low tar, menthol or even organic, tobacco kills, as the World Health Organisation pointed out recently on No Smoking Day. So, what about Europe's smokers?

 By 2008, the UK could be a largely smoke-free zone. The government has said it will introduce a smoking ban in almost all public places in England by then.

A ban is due to take force in Scotland in 2006 and in Northern Ireland in 2007, as well as groups in Wales calling for similar laws.

 Belgium:

Since 1 January 2006, smoking has been banned in all enclosed workplaces under the employer’s authority and to which workers have access (workplaces and social facilities). The smoking ban will also apply in spaces used by self-employed persons working with employees, to which such employees have access. Smoking will only be allowed in dedicated and ventilated smoking areas, but the employer has no obligation to provide these.

Belgium will implement measures in January 2007 that will allow smoking in restaurants only in separate rooms that are completely closed off from the rest of the building and where no food is served. Bars and cafes will be exempt from the ban, though they must have adequate ventilation and a non-smoking zone.

 France:

Background: In 1992 the Evin law regulates no smoking in public or workplace. Smoking areas can be introduced in places such as bars and restaurants under certain conditions of ventilation. In the autumn of 2004 the CNCT and the French Tobacco Control Alliance pushed towards implementation of a comprehensive smoking ban.

2005: Yves Bur, UMP deputy for Alsace Lorraine presented a bill in the autumn of 2005 to the lower chamber of parliament, backed by 60 other lawmakers. The bill calls for a total ban on smoking in public places- including bars and restaurants. Surveys shows that more than seventy percent of the French people are in favour of such a ban. August 2005: French state railway SNCF has stated that it plans to introduce a universal smoking ban on its trains by the end of 2005. French National Railway Company SNCF has enacted a smoking ban on their whole railway network including stations since 2005.

 Italy:

The Italian legislation enacted in January 2005 provides for smoke-free workplaces, including bars and restaurants, but permits the possibility of designated, closed, sealed-off  ventilated smoking rooms(smoke extractors). Businesses face a fine of up to € 2000 if they fail to ensure their customers do not smoke, while smokers themselves could face a € 275 for repeatedly ignoring the new rules. Many bar owners say fitting the automatic doors and forced ventilation systems required by law is too expensive.

 Malta:

The latest Smoke-free Public Places Regulations are LN 414, which were issued on 14 September 2004. These regulations mention that “smoking is banned in any enclosed private or public premises which is open to the public except in designated smoking rooms and includes workplaces (LN 414, Paragraph 3).”  The ban includes bars and restaurants and permits the possibility of designated, closed, ventilated smoking rooms.  A document has been published by the Malta Standards Authority, which serves as a guide to how the smoking room should be constructed.

The designated smoking areas are enclosed smoking areas and should be constructed in a certain way. The regulations to how the smoking room should be constructed were issued by the Malta Standards Authority and anyone wishing to construct a smoking room has to comply with these regulations. Fines of up to approx. € 250 can be levied in case of contravention.

 Spain:

On 1 January 2006 Spain introduced a complete ban at the workplace.

The law prohibits smoking in bars and restaurants that are larger than 100 m², although these may set up small smoking rooms that are sealed off from the main areas.  Restaurants and bars under 100 square meters have to provide clear signs indicating whether they are smoking or smoke-free establishments.

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