Many are now ignoring the German smoking ban in force since Jan 1st this year, affecting Berlin and 11 states. The remaining states of Saxony, Rheinland Palatinate, Saarland and Thuringia will bring in their own ban from July, although it remains to be seen how effective it will be. Recent data showed that a similar smoking ban in Hong Kong had actually increased the level of smoking as people defied the ban.

Smoking Complaints
German Police are not following up on complaints about smokers and seem to have allowed the bar and cafe proprietors their own discretion on whther they allow smoking on premises..

The mid-morning and mid-afternoon "limbo" times are when people at work are susceptible to inevitable slumps. Inevitable, that is, unless you eat properly and sustainably! Mid-Afternoon is a time when most of us feel at our lowest because after eating lunch we feel tired from digestion and home time is just within reach, but not quite! Below are a few pointers to help you avoid the morning and afternoon energy crash. STAY HYDRATED: A key to staying alert and on form is to increase your fluid intake. However, by fluid we mean water - not soft drinks, tea or coffee as these have a dehydrating effect on the body, making that sluggish feeling even worse. The daily recommended amount of water varies, but it is generally accepted that 2 litres per day is a good amount to maintain healthy body and brain functioning. Indeed, the brain is comprised of 75% water, so when you're dehydrated, your brain will start giving warning signals, such as dizziness, tiredness and lack of concentration. By this time it is too late and you are already dehydrated, so try not to wait until you're thirsty..

Many of us are acutely aware of the minefield that is the working day, and how difficult it can be at times to eat healthily and consciously so as to stay alert and perform at our best at work. How can we possibly give ourselves the best chance of climbing the corporate ladder if we're lacking in energy? Well, it has been found by the International Labour Office in Geneva that many company bosses have got to where they are because they ate their way to the top - health consciously. Breakfast literally means "breaking the fast" where we eat for the first time after 6 to 10 hours of fasting, and it is one meal where we can really make a difference and give ourselves a positive energy boost for the entire day. To this end it is so important that this vital meal is not..

From the 25th February to the 9th March, the Fairtrade scheme is celebrating its efforts to provide consumers and producers with ethical trading conditions. In London there will be ongoing promotional events, complete with a fairground, and later during the fortnight a few lucky farmers from far-flung corners of the globe will tour the UK to visit consumers and raise awareness of Fairtrades'..

It is perhaps slightly unlike the French to conduct a study into the benefits of tea, as they often pride themselves on their fantastic coffee making skills. However at INSERM, France's national institute for medical research, a research program was set up to study the effects of tea on the build up of plaque in the arteries of older men and women, with interesting..

In a similar move to the French, authorities in Germany have banned smoking in cafes bars and restaurants effective from today. The Germans however have been more lenient than the French in its enforcement. Berlin has decreed that a grace period should be allowed, and the ban will not be enforced for the first..

France has finally taken the leap and banned smoking in restaurants cafes and bars. From 1st January 2008 it will be illegal, although outside areas such as terraces and under pavement awnings are exempt. It's been a long time coming; in an attempt to curb smoking October 2003 saw a 20% government hike in cigarette prices. Recently on 1st February 2007 a national ban on smoking in public was imposed covering airports, railway stations, hospitals, offices and schools, but leaving the restaurant business..

It's no wonder kids don't like what parents dictate. Regardless of being told from an early age what diet we must eat, apparently we all have pre-programmed likes and dislikes written into our genes which override our upbringing. Working with 3,000 twins, Prof. Tim Spector of Kings College set out to see if our food preferences are influenced mainly by our environment or are already pre-determined in our genetic makeup. Previously it was thought our food preferences were formed by our environment whilst growing up, he says: "This (research) has blown that theory out of the water..

Red Bull failed to live up to its marketing hype in a recently conducted shootout between 12 so called energy drinks and regular coffee. The September issue of Consumer Reports, found that the caffeine in a regular cup of coffee ranged from 50-145 mg, also the National Coffee Association quoted an average of 85 mg for a normal cup of brewed coffee..

Advertising which encourages drinking four cups of tea a day as part of a healthy diet is a step too far according to the British Advertising Standards Authority. The Dietetic Association (UK) also warned that drinking excessive amounts of tea should be done with care as tea is a diuretic and contains caffeine. The offending UK Tea Council posters read: "Four cups a day can contribute to a diet rich in antioxidants..

If you believe nothing can replace the soothing warm effects of that sacred morning coffee then don't read on..
Newly launched, 'Shower Shock' is a bar of caffeinated soap you can use as a morning pick me up. No, you don't need to eat it, the caffeine is supposed to infiltrate your sleepy system via your skin during a shower..