Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
This, however, has led to fears of encouraging illicit trade on Schiermonnikoog
Schiermonnikoog (don’t ask us to pronounce it) is a calm, wind-swept island where Dutch tourists can go and enjoy rural peace away from the bustle of larger cities. It’s mostly car-free, which means that getting around is done on foot or bicycles, and that has resulted in clean air.
From 1 July, the local air is about to get even more pristine after the Dutch authorities decided to completely ban the sale of tobacco and tobacco products in supermarkets, being the first country to do so. Technically, the ban only applies to general stores and not to gas stations or specialist tobacconists. However, the island, which only has 982 residents only has one village supermarket and no fuel stations. Plus, the online sale of tobacco was already outlawed last year.
Islanders who haven’t been able to kick their tobacco habit yet, and aren’t planning to do that, might be in for some tough times ahead. Apparently, Lauwersoog, the small port in Groningen where ferries to Schiermonnikoog depart from, will also lose its only sales point in July. The nearest place to buy tobacco legally will be a petrol station in Dokkum, 20 kilometres further down the road.
From 2030, gas stations will also be forced to stop selling tobacco as the Dutch government is working on its ambitious plans to create a smoke-free generation by 2040. Specialist tobacco shops will remain though.
Creating a specialized store on Schiermonnikoog, however, is deemed economically unsuitable as it only enjoys seasonal tourism, which wouldn’t justify having such a store open for 12 months there.
There are concerns in another direction, however, as the effective embargo on tobacco locally might be the grounds for the creation of an illicit trade in those products, which would mean that cigarettes will still be found but now at a higher price, similar to the street drug trade.
Silesian is spoken by about half a million people in the south of the country
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
The tool helps identify undeclared swimming pools and garden sheds
It will serve as a virtual companion to the municipal network of libraries in the country
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
The city thinks that it’s time to update pet-related street cleanliness rules for the 21st century
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
Silesian is spoken by about half a million people in the south of the country
The benefit will last until the Dutch parliament adopts the transgender law
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team