This change in the legal age for buying tobacco was approved last April. The ban concerns cigarettes, rolling tobacco but also electronic cigarettes.

Studies show that the sooner young people start smoking, the sooner they become addicted to nicotine. According to the Cancer Foundation, this makes stop harder. In fact, data shows that the majority of tobacco users (90%) started smoking before the age of 18.

The post From November 1st tobacco products not to be sold to minors anymore appeared first on Brussels Express.

Today, there are approximately 300 million osteoarthritis victims worldwide. It is estimated that by 2050 there will be almost 600 million, 315 million of who will be over the age of 60.

Aside from a considerable socio-economic impact inflicted by osteoarthritis in terms of productivity loss, this severe illness also undermines the health of senior citizens and contributes to their loss of autonomy.

Fortunately, there have been major advances in recent years regarding the understanding of the illness, its prevention and treatment. Osteoarthritis is recognised as a true public health issue and a priority research area. Reaching those affected directly, namely patients and atrisk individuals, is an essential part of the fight against osteoarthritis. (Source: OARSI White paper. Osteoarthritis: A Serious Disease, Submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration December 1, 2016)

For the first time in Europe, the Osteoarthritis Foundation and the agency MCI Brussels, with the support of visit.brussels, are organising intergenerational events against osteoarthritis in Brussels. The organisers can count on the support of the President of the French League Against Rheumatism (AFLAR). This will be the most important, free-of-charge event concerning this illness!

For two days, specialists and researchers will give conferences that are opened to all. There will also be veterinarians available to domestic pets and their owners.

Introductory sessions to disciplines such as Tai Chi, Nordic walking and yoga will be organised. Dogs and their owners will be invited to go jogging together in order to demonstrate that their health is interconnected.

Event patrons, table tennis champion Jean-Michel Saive and his brother, will put on a breathtaking show and will participate in a debate on sport and osteoarthritis led by Philippe Antoine, RTBF sports journalist.

WODIES also provides a friendly environment for patients, healthcare professionals and researchers to discuss key issues.

Full programme: https://wodies2019.com

The post World Osteoarthritis Day: A unique opportunity to meet specialists in Brussels appeared first on Brussels Express.

Brussels (Ixelles) restaurant humus x hortense won the award for the best vegan restaurant during the We’re Smart Taste Summit in Amsterdam. Its chef, Nicolas Decloedt, pays particular attention to the quality of the produce that comes from his own garden or local farms and is accompanied by local beers and natural wines. Before opening his own restaurant, he learnt the ropes at Bon Bon and at Le Chalet de la Forêt, among others.

The « We’re Smart » association promotes establishments that encourage healthy, ecological and sustainable food. It has members in around 40 countries and has created a list of the 100 best vegetable restaurants in the world. The best vegetable restaurant is not necessarily 100% plant-based, but it gives prominence to vegetables by making them the central part of the dishes it serves. Vegetables must make up at least two thirds of the plate if the restaurant wants to compete for the title of best vegetable restaurant.

As well as humus x hortense, the Top 10 includes three other Belgian restaurants: Vrijmoed in Ghent, Graanmarkt 13 in Antwerp and Arabelle Meirlaen in Marchin.

This competition captures the spirit of the times and has rewarded restaurants in all three of our Regions.

The post The best vegan restaurant in the world is Belgian appeared first on Brussels Express.

The post 20 km of Brussels and traffic disruption on Sunday 19 May 2019 appeared first on Brussels Express.

On Monday, De Lijn indefinitely suspended all of its bus stops at the Gare du Nord after repeated complaints from its drivers over a perceived lack of safety and hygiene around the Brussels station. In particular, drivers had expressed concerns about catching one of the contagious diseases – which have included cases of scabies and tuberculosis – prevalent among migrants and refugees currently squatting at the station.

After consulting with the relevant transport unions, De Lijn decided to implement its current alternative arrangement: bus passengers now get off at a temporary bus stop located on the Place du Nord, just in front of the station; and they get on at Rogier stop, on Place Rogier.

According to De Lijn spokesman Tom Van de Vreken, the new arrangements are running smoothly. “The drivers are there and commuters are finding their way to and from the new bus stops,” he said on Tuesday morning. “Everything is going as planned. Staff from De Lijn are also present on site to guide any lost or confused travellers.”

The post De Lijn: “New bus arrangements at Gare du Nord are working well” appeared first on Brussels Express.

Air quality is of an acceptable standard in only a few places in the Belgian capital, according to a recent study by Ecolo and Groen (Belgium’s ‘Green’ political parties).

A mere 8 out of 250 examined sites in the Brussels Region were found to have nitrogen dioxide levels below the limit of 20 micrograms/m³ recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), Ecolo and Groen reported on Thursday.

Even worse, nearly 30% of all analysed areas exceeded the current EU standard of 40 μg/m³, a 21% rise compared to last year.

Many schools also affected

Unsurprisingly, the places with the worst air quality were found near the busiest roads, including Botanique, Avenue de Tervuren, Place Sainctelette, and Rue Belliard. However, the pollution generated by traffic is a problem throughout the region, say Ecolo and Groen.

Particularly worrisome is the fact that high levels of air pollution were found near several schools, such as the Saint-Gilles Parvis (49 μg/m³), the Sacré-Coeur College of Ganshoren (48 μg/m³), and the primary school Sint-Joris (44 μg/m³).

As expected, the greenest communes in Brussels achieved better results, although the surroundings of some parks and kindergartens still exceeded the WHO’s recommended standard.

Ecolo and Groen’s recommendations

In response, Ecolo and Groen have called for a reduction in car traffic, more green spaces, better insulated buildings, more infrastructure for cyclists and public transport, the completion of the RER train network, and the replacement of the company car by a mobility budget for workers. They also oppose the expansion of the Brussels ring.

The post Air quality of acceptable standard in only a few places in Brussels appeared first on Brussels Express.

The group has said that two bike routes will be planned from Flanders and Wallonia for the event, both of which will end up in Brussels, where a big party will be organized. Curiously, the group says the routes the cyclists will take to Brussels will be … highways: the A12 from Antwerp and the E411 from Wallonia.

Upon arrival in Brussels a major dance will be organised, choreographed by Wim Vandekeybus. A concert and drinks evening are also on the program for the event, whose exact location has yet to be determined.

The group already organises events every Friday morning in front of numerous Brussels- and Flanders-based schools, all of which aim to promote better air quality and ‘greener’ transport links across Belgium. Filter Café Filtré has said that it will continue these actions until May 24, just before the regional, federal and European elections.

The post Cycling on a highway: Filter Café Filtré announces new event on May 5th appeared first on Brussels Express.

Similar laws already exist in Flanders and Wallonia; the most recent law extending the ban to the Belgian capital was passed during the last plenary session of the current term’s Chamber of Representatives. Offenders risk a fine of up to €1,200.

The post Smoking while driving with a child now illegal in Brussels appeared first on Brussels Express.

The fund is named PREMAZ (“Prévention Mazout”, or “Oil Prevention”), and will be launched by the end of 2019. The total budget devoted to the project is expected to be almost €159 million.

In the Brussels Region, almost 40% of soil pollution is attributed to fuel oil use. The PREMAZ fund is expected to cover the costs of administrative procedures and sanitation, up to a maximum of €200,000 for individuals and a maximum of €100,000 for schools, businesses or hospitals. The fund will also allow Brussels dwellers who have already cleaned up their land to claim a refund for the costs incurred.

Part of the total budget will also be spent on cleaning up the remaining service stations that have not yet been cleaned up. Moreover, the PREMAZ fund is expected to receive additional funds from a new tax levied on the price of fuel oil.

The post €159 million to be spent cleaning oil-polluted soil in Brussels appeared first on Brussels Express.

It is the moment to take a break from heavy foods and lighten up a bit. The season is filled with bitter green leaves (rocket, mustard leaves, dandelion and sorrel), with fibrous asparagus and then soon with brightly coloured berries.

Simplify your food to just simple fruits and vegetables, lots of water and whole grains (brown rice, quinoa).

Boost yourself with green leaves – the food most lacking in modern, western diets. Green leaves are highly alkaline and boost our livers to get rid of toxins – something needed for city dwellers. They are high calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, vitamins A, C, E and K and loaded with fibre, folate and chlorophyll. In short they have it all and these early bitter Spring leaves are the best!

Without much energy going toward digestion, more energy is available to the rest of your body and mind. You can usually feel it within a couple of days and it can also bring improved immune function and better digestion.

It might also be the right moment to get rid of some clutter – take some old books to Pele Mele or a book sharing centre, clothes to Petits Rien, do one of the many brocantes that arrive on the Brussels streets.

And never a better moment to make a decision to boost your metabolism and immunity by walking or cycling to work and leaving the car behind.

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