Cork leading the charge against skin cancer with free suncream dispensers deployed by the Council
A Cork man is trying to convince the European Commission to eliminate VAT from suncreams and creams with SPF protection.
Currently, suncream is classified as a non-essential item under EU VAT law, and is therefore subject to the standard rate of 23%. That means, for example, on a 200ml bottle of Piz Buin sun lotion, which retails at €14 at a major high-street pharmacy, €3.22 goes to tax.
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Irish Examiner
21 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Richard Hogan: Being connected all the time doesn't always help loneliness
A study by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre found that Ireland has the highest rate of loneliness of all European countries. For such a small country, it is surprising that we should have such a prevalence of loneliness among our population. There have been a number of studies looking into loneliness. The World Health Organization recently said that teenage girls are the loneliest group in the world, and the Surgeon General in America classified loneliness as a new epidemic. In this modern world of extreme individuality and technology, something is getting left behind — us. Of course, you can be alone and feel like you're connected to everything, and then be at a party full of people and experience a profound sense of aching loneliness. In my experience, loneliness refers to the lack of mattering in your life. If we feel like our social connections are not strong, and that people don't respect us or see us, we can feel incredibly lonely. Every day, I hear young people tell me, in my clinic, that they feel irrelevant — like they don't even matter. They talk about themselves as if they are minor characters in a play. The pain this is causing them is difficult to sit with. We must understand what is causing such loneliness. Ireland has the second youngest population in Europe, with 60% of our population under 45 years of age. The median age in Ireland is 38.8. These statistics are important if we want to figure out how to do better as a country and develop policies that are loneliness-sensitive. I am currently carrying out a study into Gen Z, and my data so far has found that they are lonely, not going out socialising as much as previous generations, and are stuck on their phones. Young men are telling me that they would not go over and chat to a girl they found attractive at a bar, for fear of seeming 'creepy'. A heavy reliance on dating apps has made meeting someone transactional. If I looked at the following stats, I might swipe left: 'Loves Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, long walks, and doesn't care for cooking.' Yet, we are married and have three beautiful children. The brutal accuracy with which we are trying to connect with each other does not allow for anyone different or interesting to come into our lives. I'm seeing this in my research with Gen Z. Another aspect of this loneliness issue in Ireland is how the Government attempts to address the trend. All the research shows us that loneliness damages both physical and mental health. It can cause early death, cardiovascular issues, suicidality, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. So, it is in the government's interest to fix this problem — and it should be achievable in such a small country. The Government's policy of 'social prescribing' involves the provision of non-clinical community services. However, these services help individuals to manage their loneliness but don't deal with the root causes. Rurality and the lack of transport and infrastructure in low-density areas is another serious issue. We have people living in rural Ireland who are essentially cut off from their community. If our government is serious about tackling this issue, we need to address it as a matter of urgency. We know that connecting to our community is vitally important for our health, and yet there are people in rural Ireland unable to go to the local shop because there is absolutely zero transport to bring them there. I think when we analyse something like loneliness, we immediately think about teenagers and technology, and we forget about people who might be elderly, living in low-density areas, who have only the tramp of the milkman or postman to keep them company. We must do better by people living in rural Ireland. We must invest in them. Loneliness is something we all feel from time to time, but there is something happening in Ireland that is causing a profound sense of being alone. I don't think we spend enough on private and public healthcare. Low expenditure in these domains, research shows, is linked with higher country-level loneliness. We must do better. I also think we rely too heavily on commercial pathways — such as cafés and shopping malls — for teenagers to connect. We do not provide them with enough places to go and socialise that are fun and healthy. They quite literally have nowhere to go. With all this talk about who will be the next President of this great country, we need someone who understands the issues facing Ireland and who is strong enough to try and implement change by engaging with the government and advocating for those who do not have a voice in our society. I sincerely hope it isn't some fading star looking to have their ego stroked, or a politician who thinks it might be a nice way to end their career. We need someone vibrant and strong, with a deep love for this country and its people. Rural Ireland is such a beautiful place. It is what makes this country so special. But we have to do better by the people living there, so that they are connected and able to join their community. For such a small country, we are essentially one big community — we should be more connected to each other. The Government must deliver on their Roadmap for Social Inclusion, but also start to invest in our people so they are not lonely.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Asthma Society urges action in Budget to address affordability of medication
A quarter of asthma patients have skipped essential medication due to financial pressure in the last three months, according to the Asthma Society of Ireland. Ireland has one of the highest asthma rates globally, with 450,000 people affected — the fourth highest per capita rate in the world. Asthma imposes a heavy financial burden, with some medications costing up to €80 a month, and mortality and hospitalisation rates remain significantly higher than EU averages, with half of those with asthma showing signs of poor asthma control. New survey data from the organisation shows that 24 per cent of respondents reported going without asthma medication at least once in the past three months because they couldn't afford it. The Asthma Society is now urging the government to take decisive action in Budget 2026 to address the affordability crisis impacting people with asthma. Further data shows more than half (56 per cent) experienced difficulties making ends meet, with a quarter of respondents (25 per cent) going into arrears on mortgage or rental payments, utility bills, hire purchase or other loan payments at least once over the previous 12 months. Launching its Pre-Budget Submission 2026, Backing Every Breath, Building Better Care, the Asthma Society of Ireland is seeking urgent investment in three priority areas — affordable medication, expanded asthma care services and staffing, and targeted home energy upgrades to improve indoor air quality for people with asthma. 'The survey finding that so many people with asthma are having it difficult to make ends meet is, unfortunately, a surprise to no one in the asthma community,' said Eilís Ní Chaithnía, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland. 'Asthma imposes a heavy financial burden, with some medications costing up to €80 a month. 'With a combination of targeted investment and taxation measures, we can bring asthma under control, reduce exacerbations, hospitalisations and preventable deaths, and improve quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people in Ireland. But it will also require political will. 'An overwhelming majority (96 per cent) of those who responded to our survey said that they want the Government to take action in the upcoming Budget to reduce the financial burden of asthma on households. 'Simply put, they need this Government to make sure that they can take their asthma medications as prescribed, access specialist and diagnostic care when they need it, and live in homes that don't make them sick,' Ms Ní Chaithnía continued. Case Study Emily Smyth, 33, was diagnosed with severe asthma in her early 20s. Originally from Ballsbridge in Dublin, Emily experienced an episode of acute shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing. A GP confirmed it was an asthma attack and referred her to a respiratory consultant. 'Today I am on biologic therapy, two daily inhalers and regular antibiotics,' Emily said. She believes that patients have enough to cope with, without adding the unnecessary worry of not being able to afford medication: 'Managing asthma can be difficult and it can impact your life in so many ways,' said Emily. 'Medications enable us to manage symptoms and to live our lives. That's why it's so vital that the cost of treatment be addressed. 'Over 60 per cent of people in the Asthma Society's survey supported universal subsidisation of asthma medications, something I completely agree with," Emily said. 'As a healthcare professional myself, I'm also passionate about the need for specialist care for asthma. 'I'm extremely lucky to be under the wing of a severe asthma clinic team and the care that I have received has been truly incredible and has transformed my asthma management. An inhaler used for treating asthma (stock image) (Image: PA) 'Knowing that you have a team supporting you, who will ensure that you get the highest standard of care and specialist education is so important. 'However, access should not depend on where you live or be a 'postcode lottery'. 'Expanding specialist and diagnostic care would significantly improve the lives of people with asthma,' said Emily. Key Budget Asks The submission includes detailed costings and proposals to: Phase in subsidisation of asthma medication, prioritising combination and preventer inhalers (€14 million in Budget 2026). Reduce the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold by €8 and abolish prescription charges for medical card holders (combined cost of €84.5 million). Fund a national Severe Asthma Registry (€500,000), recruit an Advanced Nurse Practitioner to every severe asthma clinic and reopen unfilled posts for Respiratory Physiologists around the country. Expand the Warmer Homes Scheme, to provide free home energy upgrades for people with chronic respiratory conditions at risk of energy poverty (€29.5 million). Invest in primary prevention through smoking cessation programmes (€29.05 million) and targeted vaccination. For more information on the supports and services offered by the Asthma Society of Ireland, visit or call the Asthma Adviceline to speak to an asthma specialist nurse or physio on Freefone 1800 44 54 64 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm). Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Explainer: Are we any clearer on the EU-US trade deal agreed at the weekend, and what happens next?
A. They are. The White House and the European Commission have each published a 'fact sheet' setting out more details in the framework deal. The most important point from an Irish point of view is confirmation that the tariff on exports of pharmaceutical products from Europe to the US will be 15pc. The multinationals based here, such as Pfizer and Eli Lilly, export about €40bn of pharma to the US each year.
