San Diego, CA

Belgium to become first EU country to ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes

Published

3 days ago

December 29, 2024

Belgium to become first EU country to ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes

Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations.

Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke said the inexpensive e-cigarettes had turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine.

“Disposable e-cigarettes is a new product simply designed to attract new consumers,” he said in an interview.

“E-cigarettes often contain nicotine. Nicotine makes you addicted to nicotine. Nicotine is bad for your health. These are fact,” Vandenbroucke added.

Because they are disposable, the plastic, battery and circuits are a burden on the environment. On top of that, “they create hazardous waste chemicals still present in what people throw away,” Vandenbroucke said.

The health minister said he also targeted the disposable e-cigarettes because reusable ones could be a tool to help people quit smoking if they cannot find another way.

Australia outlawed the sale of “ vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive.

“We are the first country in Europe to do so,” Vandenbroucke said.

Trying to quit vaping can be challenging but not impossible. Here are five tips to better prepare you for success.

He wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc.

“We are really calling on the European Commission to come forward now with new initiatives to update, to modernize, the tobacco legislation,” he said.

There is understanding about Belgium’s decision, even in some shops selling electronic cigarettes, and especially on the environmental issue.

Once the cigarette is empty, “the battery is still working. That’s what is terrible, is that you could recharge it, but you have no way of recharging it,” said Steven Pomeranc, owner of the Brussels Vapotheque shop. “So you can imagine the level of pollution it creates.”

A ban usually means a financial loss to the industry, but Pomeranc said he thinks it will not hurt too much.

“We have a lot of alternative solutions which are also very easy to use,” he said. “Like this pod system, which are pre-filled with liquid, which can just be clipped into the rechargeable e-cigarette. So we will simply have a shift of clients towards this new system.”

___

Associated Press writer Raf Casert in Brussels contributed.

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San Diego, CA

San Diego’s low-wage workers are getting another cost of living pay raise but is it enough?

Published

8 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Press Room

San Diego’s low-wage workers are getting another cost of living pay raise but is it enough?

Despite a coming boost in the minimum wage, lower-paid workers still worry about being able to make ends meet while local restaurants fret that higher labor costs could make it more expensive to dine out.

Originally Published: December 31, 2024 at 6:00 AM PST

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San Diego, CA

Norovirus spreading around San Diego faster than last year: Health officials

Published

16 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Press Room

Norovirus spreading around San Diego faster than last year: Health officials

Doctors say norovirus — also known as the stomach flu — is spreading around San Diego faster than it did last year. With holiday gatherings, they’re bracing for even more outbreaks.

Three-year-old River doesn’t even remember how rough she had it a few months ago. Her mom and dad had what could’ve been norovirus too, but not as badly as she did.

“She was kind of lethargic, and then started throwing up, and then it didn’t stop for about two days,” River’s mom, Corrin Stotler, said. “We ended up taking her to the hospital because she couldn’t keep anything down.”

The county’s disease registry reports there have been almost 400 norovirus cases in San Diego so far. This number has likely changed after holiday gatherings, and a local doctor said it’s already trending worse than last year.

“September, we saw some cases,” said Dr. William Tseng, assistant area medical director at Kaiser Permanente. “October, we saw more. November, we saw more. So, we’re thinking, ‘Is December going to be worse,and where is the peak going to be?’”

The virus spreads through bodily waste and the surfaces it touches.

“You get the abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea,” Tseng said.

Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Learn how it spreads and how you can help prevent getting it.

If this is the case, doctors advise against taking medications that stop diarrhea because this is body’s way of clearing the virus. Taking meds can cause the illness to stay in the digestive tract longer.

There is no specific cure for a norovirus infection either. Most people get better on their own within a couple days if they increase their fluids.

“If they’re around a lot of kids, one of my friends gives her kid a vitamin C pack every time he gets home from daycare, and I’ve never seen that kid sick,” Stotler said.

An immunity boost can’t hurt, but Tseng said washing your hands is the best way to get the surging virus to slow down.

It can be easy to confuse norovirus for food poisoning. Tseng said pay attention to how soon after eating you start feeling sick. Food poisoning symptoms are almost immediate while norovirus can take a couple days to develop.

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San Diego, CA

The best things to do this week in San Diego: Dec. 30 to Jan 3

Published

24 hours ago

December 30, 2024

Press Room

The best things to do this week in San Diego: Dec. 30 to Jan 3

Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Dec. 30 to Friday, Jan. 3.

Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.

Monday

Coast to Crest Challenge: The Coast to Crest Challenge starts its eighth year this month for hikers to sample San Dieguito River Park’s trail network by finishing a series of five hikes, organized by the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. The deadline to complete this year’s series is June 30, 2025. Visit sdrvc.org.

Final days for Belmont Park’s Winter Wonder: Belmont Park’s Winter Wonder, the annual event at the beachside amusement park in Mission Beach, runs through Dec. 31 featuring festive rides and attractions, including the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, Peppermint Putt Putt at Tiki Wonderland and Candy Cane Lanes Go Karts and Polar Plunge. Highlights include hundreds of twinkling lights, carolers, oversized winter sculptures and seasonal characters throughout the park. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Belmont Park, 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego. Prices vary by attraction and bundle. belmontpark.com

Tuesday

How to celebrate New Year’s Eve at parties, festivals and fancy dinners

Store hours: What’s open and closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

Wednesday

Rose Parade: The Rose Parade will feature three groups from San Diego this year. It begins at 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day and will be broadcast on ABC, NBC, KTLA Channel 5, Hallmark Channel, RFD-TV and Univision. tournamentofroses.com/about/parade-day-guide/

Watching the Rose Parade? Here’s a look at 3 groups from San Diego

“Salute to Vienna: New Year’s Concert”: Now in its 29th year, this touring Viennese holiday concert features the Strauss Symphony of America featuring members of the San Diego Symphony, costumed dancers from San Diego Ballet, tenor Michael Heim and soprano Peggy Steiner, ringing in the new year in Austrian style. 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Jacobs Music Center, 1245 Seventh Ave., downtown. $80 to $130. purchasing.sandiegosymphony.org

Thursday

Comedian Maddy Smith: Host of Mad House podcast, Maddy Smith is also a touring comedian who has been seen on MTV’s “Wild N Out” and as an opening act for performers such as Bert Kreischer and Theo Von. 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. $24. American Comedy Co., 870 Sixth Ave., San Diego. americancomedyco.com/pages/calendar

Friday

Comedian Dustin Nickerson: Hot off a debut appearance on the “Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” Dustin Nickerson’s comedy tour will stop for three nights in San Diego. He’s a co-host of the podcast “Don’t Make Me Come Back There” and has a recent comedy special “Runs in the Family” on Youtube. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 7 p.m. Sunday. The Comedy Store, 916 Pearl St., La Jolla. $28.88. thecomedystore.com/la-jolla/calendar/la-jolla/

Final weekend for Viejas Outlets skating: This shopping center displays a seasonal ice skating rink through Jan. 5, weather permitting. Ice skate rentals are included in the price and sessions are 90 minutes. 3 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday. 5003 Willows Road, Alpine. $20-22. 619-659-2070, viejasoutletcenter.com/skating-rink

Final weekend for holiday celebrations at Legoland: Live entertainment, twinkling lights, holiday treats and some snowfall will be on display through Jan. 5. Visitors can see the park’s 30-foot Lego tree decked with lights and Lego ornaments built out of more than 350,000 Lego and Duplo bricks. Photos can be taken with life-sized festive Lego models or costumed characters such as a Lego Santa, toy soldier, gingerbread man and elf characters. Activities inside the park are included with regular park admission. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Legoland California, One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad. $99. legoland.com/california/things-to-do/seasonal-events/holidays

“The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/ Latinx/Latine Vote”: TuYo Theatre presents this new play by Bernardo Cubría about Paola, a university professor in debt after years of fertility treatments. She finds herself at a crossroads when the political party offers her a job to gain the Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine vote. Previews today and Saturday. Opens Sunday and runs through Jan. 18. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Bayfront Charter High School, 830 Bay Blvd., Chula Vista. $20-$25. tuyotheatre.org

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