Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/181770
44 Events maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2013 Celebrities unite to support Europe's first 'Day of the Ex-Smoker' The day of celebration is to congratulate all ex-smokers, whether they are amongst the 400,000 who have signed up to kick the habit with the European Commission's "Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable" campaign, or have quit using other means took place on 26 September. Superstar DJ Bob Sinclar and grand slam tennis champion Victoria Azarenka lead a list of celebrities joining forces with the European Commission to celebrate the inaugural Day of the Ex-Smoker. Today, events are taking place in all EU countries to mark the first ever Day of the Ex-Smoker, an initiative of the 'Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable' campaign, and the first health awareness day to celebrate the achievements of ex-smokers everywhere. By making role models of all ex-smokers, including the 400,000 people who have signed up to quit smoking with free online tool, iCoach, it is hoped that thousands more will be inspired to kick the habit. Sinclar and Azarenka join a host of other celebrities from around Europe to applaud those who have won one of life's toughest battles – quitting smoking. The European Lung Foundation (www.europeanlung. org), Education for Health, (www. educationforhealth.org) and other health organisations, charities and leading employers are also joining in the celebrations. It is hoped that Tonio Borg (far left) and Bob Sinclar (centre) the Day of the Ex-Smoker will show those still struggling with tobacco, that the life of the ex-smoker is something worth striving for. Speaking at a public event, at Parc du Cinquantenaire, Brussels; European Commissioner for Health, Tonio Borg said: "Congratulations to all ex-smokers! Ex-smokers are heroes for fighting and winning against addiction to cigarettes, and a source of inspiration to others. I am pleased that many people are embracing a life free of tobacco and I very much hope that this will indeed inspire many more people to follow." The public event was especially for ex-smokers who were in Brussels and got the chance to meet world renowned DJ Bob Sinclar who, to celebrate the Day of the Ex-Smoker, has donated 1,000 free downloads of his new song, 'Summer Moonlight'. Speaking at the event, he explained that getting involved with the campaign was down to his appreciation for the benefits of a smoke free environment after working for years in clubs. He said: "Now that smoking is banned in most clubs the environment is so much better for the crowd and for me – I can see better, my clothes don't smell and I know my health isn't suffering from second-hand smoke. "Ex-smokers have more money, better health, a better quality of life...and they certainly smell better. When you quit you're making a conscious decision to choose life, to choose your own success. That's why we're celebrating today." Launched in 2011, 'Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable' is an EC flagship campaign, aimed at reversing the annual toll of 700,000 preventable deaths linked to tobacco across the EU. Aimed specifically at the 28 million EU smokers aged from 25 to 34, "Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable" uniquely shifts the focus away from reiterating the dangers of smoking and highlights the benefits of quitting. The campaign's sciencebased, free health tool, iCoach (www.exsmokers.eu) is available in 22 EU languages. The Day of the Ex-Smoker follows another recent innovation of the campaign, 'Quit Smoking With Barca', the European Commission's partnership with international football club, FC Barcelona. This program is currently supporting more than 70,000 people quit smoking (www.quitsmokingwithbarca.eu). As the 'Day of the Ex-Smoker' events continue across Europe, it is hoped that a new tradition is being formed: that of congratulating exsmokers and celebrating health. HSBC Group Chairman launches €500,000 'Catch the Drop' campaign in Malta HSBC Group Chairman Douglas Flint today officially launched a Malta-wide environmental and educational campaign, 'Catch the Drop' at Paola Primary 'B' School in the presence of the Minister for Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo, the Minister for Energy and the Conservation of Water Dr Konrad Mizzi and HSBC Bank Malta Chief Executive Officer Mark Watkinson. Catch the Drop is a large-scale threeyear initiative partly-funded by the HSBC Group to raise awareness about water conservation and stimulate positive change towards sustainable fresh water use in Malta and Gozo. The campaign aims to reach every single student in Malta, that is, over 50,000 students coming from 155 schools, all the 67 Local Councils in Malta and Gozo, as well as the Maltese public at large. HSBC Group Chairman Douglas Flint said: "One cannot overstate the importance of having access to sustainable fresh water. Water is essential not only to human health and happiness, but to the prosperity and the economic development of communities and nations. That applies as equally in the western world as in developing nations. Although surrounded by sea, Malta is ranked amongst the 10 countries with least fresh water resources on the planet." Flint added: "The Catch the Drop campaign will play a significant role in raising awareness of water scarcity in the Maltese islands and the HSBC HSBC Group Chairman Douglas Flint (back, centre) Water Programme aims to increase its impact even further." Minister Evarist Bartolo said: "By emphasising awareness among students, this campaign acknowledges President of Malta visits FIMBank's new head office President of Malta George Abela, recently visited the new head office building of FIMBank plc in St Julian's. During his visit, President Abela toured Mercury Tower and met members of FIMBank's staff and management. At the end of his visit, President Abela complimented FIMBank on its "new home" in Malta, stating FIMBank Group's Chairman, Dr John C Grech, presenting President George Abela with a donation of €5,000 for the Malta Community Chest Fund that the state-of-art structure reflected the reputation of a global player in trade finance, which FIMBank is rightly proud of. He also thanked the Bank, on behalf of the Malta Community Chest Fund, for its continued support to the Fund. Welcoming President Abela, the Group's Chairman, Dr John C. Grech, underlined the fact that since its inception a mere 18 years ago, FIMBank had grown, matured and diversified its Trade Finance activities and now boasts a physical presence in eleven financial centres worldwide, "and it is significant that the hub of FIMBank's international network continues to be a Maltabased head office, now housed in this magnificent building, in one of the Island's prime locations". For more information about FIMBank plc, please visit www. fimbank.com that our youth are our future, and that instilling an appreciation for natural resources is key to achieving environmentally sustainable practices." Minister Konrad Mizzi said: "This impressive venture, supported by no less than €500,000 of HSBC funding, offers a nationwide educational approach to water conservation that encapsulates the spirit of corporate sustainability." The campaign's strategic approach can be broken down into three phases: year one will focus on raising awareness on a national level about Malta's water challenges, year two will work towards a reduction in water consumption in Malta, while year three will emphasise water harvesting techniques in schools and local councils. "Integral to this campaign is the involvement and participation of HSBC employees, 300 of whom have already volunteered their services. This generous group effort will ensure that one or more of HSBC Malta's staff will be available in every school in Malta and Gozo to provide focal points for the Catch the Drop campaign," said HSBC Malta's CEO Mark Watkinson. In the run up for the Catch the Drop Campaign launch, around 180 HSBC Malta employees volunteered to promote this cause by delivering water presentations within the 'Skolasajf 2013' programme, thereby reaching out to over 4,000 summer school students across Malta and Gozo. HSBC Water Programme is a USD100 million global initiative. Frank Salt Real Estate takes on Sliema ASC for a waterpolo match Who said that property consultants are not a good sport? As part of a team building exercise, members of the Frank Salt Real Estate team took up a challenge that saw them trying their hand at waterpolo – against the Sliema ASC committee members. Featuring some of Frank Salt Real Estate's most audacious consultants, the game saw both sides fighting for the ball and goal opportunities head to head, with the Frank Salt Real Estate team falling just short of securing winning the game in the last few minutes of the game. The odds were heavily against the real estate specials, yet they showed great enthusiasm and team spirit throughout the whole game. The players knew their limitations but still performed with credit as they gave their most experience players more exposure to top the game favourites, whilst still pushing the more novice players. They provided a consistent effort throughout the game, and their success pushed them towards a good result worthy of Malta's leading estate agency. The game also reflected on Frank Salt Real Estate's bid to play a greater role in sports events in Malta, which this year saw the company taking up main sponsorship of the Sliema ASC Waterpolo club, amongst other efforts. "Sports activity is an extremely important element of any society." Stated Grahame Salt, company director, and also a player of the Frank Salt Real Estate team. "Waterpolo is one of the most followed sports in Malta and this was our way of endorsing the club and giving something back. This year saw Sliema ASC perform very well, also securing the K.O Championship title for 2013! This game against the club's committee was definitely good fun and an excellent challenge for all participants and we are already looking forward to the rematch." The Frank Salt Real Estate team line-up including Edward Aquilina, Ludwig Farrugia, Jonathan Sammut, Patrick Xuereb, Dylan Micallef, Leonard Grech, Grahame Salt, Nicole Cremona, Jake Decesare and Michael Rizzo. The game was organised by Frank Salt Real Estate's Marketing Division. For more information on this press release one may contact Frank Salt Real Estate on telephone 23 794 794 or by email at fs@franksalt.com.mt