Health

The excise duty revision aligns with the European Commission’s updated minimum tax rates on tobacco products, which will double the current minimum excise duty on cigarettes from 90 euros to 180 euros per 1,000 cigarettes, or 3.60 euros per pack

In contrast, the number of EHICs issued annually in Bulgaria remains notably low, ranging between 160,000 and 170,000. Given that the card is valid for only one year, it is likely that a substantial portion of applicants are repeat users renewing their cards annually

Over the past two weeks, five adolescents have required urgent medical attention, highlighting a troubling trend that local healthcare professionals warn is becoming increasingly prevalent

According to research conducted by the National Center for Public Health and Analysis, over 30% of Bulgarian students have tried smoking cigarettes, with more than 40% lighting their first cigarette at just 14 or 15 years old, Nova TV reports

The injured skier, whose identity has not been disclosed, lost consciousness during the accident but regained awareness before being transferred to the hospital. Mountain rescue teams responded swiftly to the scene, stabilizing the injured individual before coordinating with an air ambulance for urgent transport

The man, who suffered a heart attack, was unable to be reached in time by an ambulance due to the village’s impassable roads, a recurring issue that local authorities have struggled to address for years

Authorities in Bulgaria and other affected nations have yet to respond to the ban, but trade analysts suggest that alternative markets will need to be explored to mitigate potential losses

According to BNB data, commercial banks approved 923 million leva in housing loans in November, marking an increase of nearly 5% from October and a 22.5% surge compared to the same month in 2023