Latest news with #ChampionsOfChange
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
EU's Champions League: Sweden, Czech Republic, and Greece Score Big Against Smoking
WVA's trophy ceremony in front of the European Parliament BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brussels turned into a Champions League arena for harm reduction as the World Vapers' Alliance (WVA) staged a trophy ceremony in front of the European Parliament, celebrating the real winners in the fight against smoking. Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Greece took centre stage, hoisting the 'Champions of Change' trophy for their remarkable victories in reducing smoking rates—while EU policymakers watched from the sidelines. 'Brussels is obsessed with prohibition and ignores the evidence right in front of them. Lives are being lost because the EU refuses to follow the science,' said WVA Director Michael Landl as he handed over the trophies. 'Instead of learning from countries that are saving lives, the EU is making life harder for smokers who want to quit.' Sweden claimed the top spot, becoming the world's first officially smoke-free nation with just 4.5% of Swedish-born adults smoking—a rate five times lower than the European average and achieved 16 years ahead of the EU's own target. The Czech Republic and Greece also took home silverware, having cut smoking rates by 23% and 14% respectively in the last three years through pragmatic, harm reduction-focused strategies. But while the champions celebrated on the podium, EU leaders remained stuck in the locker room. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, ahead of Ireland's EU Council Presidency next year, outrageously claimed that vaping is as bad as the smoking phenomenon—signalling a worrying direction for future policy. WVA Policy Manager Alberto Gómez Hernández warned, 'The EU's refusal to recognise these achievements is a disservice to millions of Europeans who deserve better options to quit smoking.' With Commissioner Varhelyi confirming that the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) will be revised this term, the WVA urged Brussels to stop missing open goals and start following the lead of Europe's true champions—before more lives are lost off the pitch. Contact:Michael Landl info@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
The Guardian
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
World's 50 Best Restaurants awards: chef Mindy Wood becomes first Australian to win Champions of Change
For the first time, an Australian has won an international Champions of Change award, part of the World's 50 Best Restaurants program. Bundjalung restaurateur and former MasterChef Australia contestant Mindy Woods was awarded in recognition of her contribution to community through food. Woods was awarded for her efforts to 'preserve and share Indigenous culture through food,' said William Drew, director of content for the World's 50 Best Restaurants. Italy's Caroline Caporossi and Jessica Rosval, who run an initiative training migrant chefs in Modena, and Brazilian chef João Diamante, who serves undervalued cuts of meat at restaurant Diamante Gastrobar, won the award in 2024. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Woods, the sixth recipient of the award, will receive an undisclosed financial donation from the organisers to support her Byron Bay initiative Karkalla On Country. 'We are excited to support the continued development of her invaluable contributions,' said Drew. 'I believe food is a powerful way to connect people to culture, land, and history,' said Woods. 'My goal is to continue creating spaces where we can all come together, embrace native and locally grown ingredients that not only honour the environment but also preserve the sustainable practices that have been passed down through generations.' Named after the native plant also known as pigface, Karkalla On Country is inspired by the cook's first Byron Bay restaurant called Karkalla which closed in 2024. There, Woods served dishes including crisp saltbush, and akoya oysters with macadamia and lemon myrtle. Karkalla On Country, which offers a combined cultural and dining experience, opened in Myocum, a short drive from Byron, last year. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion Woods is also the author of cookbook Karkalla at Home: Native Foods and Everyday Recipes for Connecting to Country. On MasterChef Australia, Woods came in fourth place in season 4. The award is one of several individual awards announced ahead of the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards ceremony, which will be held in Italy on 19 June. Hong Kong restaurant Wing was commended for their front of house service, Thailand's Pichaya 'Pam' Soontornyanakij was named best female chef and Khufu's restaurant in Cairo was tipped as 'One to Watch'.
