Consumer Choice Center – Page 7 – Consumer Choice Center

Swiss train stations best in Europe

Switzerland’s rail network is lauded all over the world – but now are its train stations.

The latest survey from the Consumer Choice Center has voted Zurich Main Station as the best in Europe and Bern into second place.

Researchers say they looked at the chances of the station becoming over crowded, convenient opening hours. The number of ticket booths and machines as well as accessibility.

The survey looked at the 50 busiest stations in Europe.

Coming in at number 50 was Berlin Ostkreuz.

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Why is Mark Holland making it harder for smokers to quit?

Federal Health Minister Mark Holland has sought new powers within the federal budget, which allow for him, or any future health minister to override Health Canada’s approval of natural health products, smoking cessation tools and even medical devices.

This new power was deemed necessary by the health minister to further regulate access to nicotine pouches, which are tobacco-free, oral nicotine products used to help smokers quit smoking.

They are placed under the lip, where the nicotine is absorbed through the mouth’s lining. In Canada, legal nicotine pouches are regulated by Health Canada as a tool to help smokers quit, and the rules for pouches are identical to other smoking cessation tools that have been on the market for years, if not decades. Those other tools for smokers to quit include sprays, patches, gum and lozenges.

Nicotine pouches are exponentially less risky than smoking. So much so that the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published a comprehensive review on nicotine pouches, and the results are pretty eye opening. On a harm scale, with 100 representing the risk from smoking, and 0 representing not consuming any product with nicotine, the BfR gave nicotine pouches a score of 1, which is exactly the same as the risk from nicotine patches, gums and sprays.

Simply put, these pouches help smokers quit, which is why more than 1,200 smokers and former smokers have called on Ottawa not to over-regulate these products by removing them from convenience stores, or banning flavours.

And the proof that these products work in terms of helping smokers quit is the country of Sweden. Sweden, a country where these low risk alternatives are widespread, is an example of how harm reduction actually works in practice. The German BfR researchers clearly point out that Sweden is the only country in Europe where lung cancer isn’t at the top of the list for cancer mortality. Lung cancer in Sweden, because of the embrace of tobacco harm reduction, is the lowest in all of Europe’s 40 countries. In Canada, lung cancer is the leading cancer killer, with well over 20,000 Canadians dying annually.

We all know someone who smoked and paid the ultimate price for it. Products that help smokers quit smoking for good should continue to be available, and harm reduction should be embraced across the board. Ottawa, and the federal health minister, should Leave Pouches Alone.

Originally published here

Labour sends mixed messages to global innovators

Mike Salem, the UK Country Associate for the leading international consumer group, the Consumer Choice Center (CCC), expressed his views on the government’s plan to shelve £1.3 billion of investment in the tech and AI sectors.

While fiscal cuts may be necessary, consumers would have been better off with an accompanying announcement encouraging innovation and competition, which would lead to better outcomes for everyday use.

For example, by being more permissive than the EU, the UK can attract more innovators to develop their leading products in our country.

In a statement, Salem warned that the government’s plan directly contradict Labour’s mission to create wealth.

He stated: “In its effort to reduce public spending, the government’s image of being more fiscally responsible remains to be seen, but we hope there will not be an abandonment wholesale of the promise of AI innovation in the private sector.”

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Google illegally maintains monopoly over internet search, judge rules

WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge on Monday ruled that Google’s ubiquitous search engine has been illegally exploiting its dominance to squash competition and stifle innovation, a seismic decision that could shake up the internet and hobble one of the world’s best-known companies.

The highly anticipated decision issued by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta comes nearly a year after the start of a trial pitting the U.S. Justice Department against Google in the country’s biggest antitrust showdown in a quarter century.

After reviewing reams of evidence that included testimony from top executives at Google, Microsoft and Apple during last year’s 10-week trial, Mehta issued his potentially market-shifting decision three months after the two sides presented their closing arguments in early May.

“After having carefully considered and weighed the witness testimony and evidence, the court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly,” Mehta wrote in his 277-page ruling. He said Google’s dominance in the search market is evidence of its monopoly.

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CCC Supports Government’s Move to Encourage SMEs and MSMEs Technological Adoption

KUALA LUMPUR, 21st August 2024 — The Consumer Choice Center (CCC) expresses strong support for Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo’s recent announcement regarding the proposal in Budget 2025. Gobind wants to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative is crucial for enhancing productivity and ensuring Malaysia’s businesses remain competitive in the global market.

Tarmizi Anuwar, Malaysia Country Associate at the Consumer Choice Center, stated, “Minister Gobind Singh Deo’s initiative is a significant step forward in promoting innovation and efficiency among SMEs and MSMEs. By adopting advanced technologies, businesses will not only improve their operations but also provide consumers with higher quality products and services.”

World Bank highlights that Malaysia’s SMEs have been underperforming when compared to peer countries, both in terms of output and productivity levels. Additionally, SMEs in Malaysia are less likely to adopt complex innovations and technologies in their businesses due to a lack of technical capabilities.

The CCC also stresses that upskilling and reskilling should be integral to the process of adopting AI. “For these efforts to be truly effective, businesses must invest in training their workforce to handle new technologies,” Tarmizi added. “By integrating upskilling and reskilling programs, we can ensure that the transition to AI-driven operations is smooth and benefits both businesses and workers.”

To further support AI adoption, the CCC recommends the implementation of regulatory sandboxes—controlled environments where businesses can test AI innovations with limited regulations. While regulatory sandboxes have traditionally been used by larger tech firms and fintech companies, they can be adapted for SMEs and MSMEs as well. “Countries like India and Singapore have successfully used regulatory sandboxes to SMEs and MSMEs to foster innovation while ensuring consumer protection,” Tarmizi noted.

“For SMEs and MSMEs, specialized sandboxes could be developed with lower-cost entry points, simplified compliance requirements such as the application and evaluation processes should be streamlined or made easy to follow, and tailored support for less complex innovations.”

By making these sandboxes accessible to smaller businesses, the government can empower SMEs and MSMEs to experiment with new technologies, such as AI, without being burdened by full regulatory requirements. This approach not only encourages innovation but also mitigates risks for businesses that may lack the resources of larger corporations.

For the long term, regulatory sandboxes should not be seen merely as temporary relief for specific groups but rather as a foundational model of learning and adaptation that can drive broader regulatory reform. By embracing sandboxes as a tool for iterative testing and development across all sectors, we can streamline regulations, enhance productivity, and foster a dynamic environment conducive to innovation. This approach allows for continuous improvement and ensures that regulations evolve in tandem with technological advancements, ultimately benefiting the entire economy.

In addition to supporting these measures, the CCC urges the government to maintain transparency and accountability in their implementation. “It’s crucial that these initiatives are accessible to a broad range of businesses and do not lead to dependencies or favor certain industries disproportionately and that the process is transparent, ensuring a fair and competitive market,” Tarmizi concluded.

KOSA and COPPA 2.0 pass in a US Senate vote

Not everyone is happy that the US Senate has passed two bills designed to protect children as they spend time online—and that’s especially true for those who are concerned for the safety of LGBTQ+ youth.

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) received overwhelming bipartisan support yesterday, passing in a vote of 91-3.

But while the bills may seem well-intentioned, people like Lindz Amer—creator and host of the educational LGBTQ+ preschool series Queer Kid Stuff—are concerned about the effect the measures will have if passed into law.

“On the one hand, policy concerning children’s online safety is extremely behind the times, whether we’re talking about online predators, manipulative advertising tactics or young people’s mental health,” says Amer (who uses they/them pronouns). “That needs to be remedied and is, I’m assuming, why these bills have so much support.”

But they add: “On the other hand, vague language that leaves content censorship up to interpretation by government agencies like the FTC leaves creators like me in a tough spot, where those in power see LGBTQ-affirming content for young people as dangerous—which is simply untrue.”

Among its many changes, COPPA 2.0 bans targeted advertising to kids under the age of 17 and restricts the info companies can collect from kids, while KOSA will require companies to give kids more options for protecting their info and opting out of algorithmic recommendations. If they become law, the bills are expected to have a significant effect on how tech companies reach and create products for kids. As part of KOSA, the Federal Trade Commission plans to create a new Youth Marketing and Privacy Division that will be responsible for enforcing the duty-of-care provisions of the bill.

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Flughafen Zürich ist ‘Top of Europe’

Das Consumer Choice Center hat die 4. jährliche Ausgabe de European Airport Index veröffentlicht.

Die neueste Ausgabe hebt die Erholung der Flughafenindustrie hervor, Schätzungen zufolge soll das diesjährige Verkehrsaufkommen die Vor-Pandemie-Niveaus um 1,4% bis 3,4% übertreffen. Der Index bewertet die dreissig verkehrsreichsten Flughäfen Europas, gemessen am Passagieraufkommen.

Die Bewertung basiert auf verschiedenen Faktoren, von der Lage und den Transportdiensten bis hin zur Anzahl der verbraucherfreundlichen Annehmlichkeiten wie Geschäften und Restaurants.

Er nutzt verschiedene Daten, darunter Flughafeninformationen, Jahresberichte, Online-Statistiken und die Forschung des Consumer Choice Center. Die Passagieraufkommen basieren auf den neuesten verfügbaren Informationen.

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Höchster Komfort: Flughafen Zürich ist der beste in Europa

Welcher Flughafen in Europa ist für Reisende am komfortabelsten? Der in Zürich, sagt die Organisation Consumer Choice Center. Sie wird am 23. Juli ein Flughafen-Ranking rausbringen, das 20 Minuten schon vorliegt. Das sind die Top-10-Flughäfen in Europa Diese Flughäfen sind laut Ranking für Reisende am komfortabelsten: 1. Zürich 2. Kopenhagen 3. Brüssel 4. Helsinki 5. Frankfurt 6. Düsseldorf 7. Málaga 8. Wien 9. Paris 10.

Anzahl Passagiere pro Fluggastbrücke: 18 andere Flughäfen ebenfalls mit Punktemaximum. Anzahl Shops und Restaurants pro Passagier: Auch Helsinki, München, Istanbul und die beiden Flughäfen in Paris holen die Maximalpunktzahl. Zugänglichkeit der Hotels im Flughafen: 20 weitere Flughäfen ebenfalls mit Punktemaximum. Anzahl Airlines, die den Flughafen nutzen, und Anzahl Verbindungen: Fast alle Flughäfen holen alle Punkte.

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Labour Party has turned to ‘old roots in meddling with people’s livelihoods and businesses’

In a statement, Mike Salem, the UK Country Associate for the leading international consumer group, the Consumer Choice Center (CCC), expressed support for housing reform, especially on planning, as well as investing in new technologies and developing powerful AI models.

Salem particularly welcomed Starmer’s decision not to include an AI Bill, which would have placed constraints on AI innovation and impeded the UK’s role as a global innovator.

However, despite these promising signs, Salem raised concerns about renationalising the railways and energy, introducing an “independent” football regulator, VAT on private schools and crucially prohibiting cigarettes while imposing limits on the sale and marketing of vapes.

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Ford must allow grocery stores to sell all alcohol during LCBO strike

There’s an easy way for Premier Doug Ford to help folks out during the LCBO strike: Just let private retailers sell all liquor products, at least during the strike.

It’s easy to do. And it happens all over Canada and around the world. Alberta and Saskatchewan let local businesses serve their thirsty neighbours.

The rules are silly anyway. Right now, the LCBO gets the inside track on some products and other retailers get to sell other things. Why? What’s the difference between selling a six-pack, a bottle of wine or a mickey of rye?

This is a perfect opportunity to see what people like best. Maybe they’ll like being able to pick up a bottle from a local business that stays open a little later. Or maybe the union’s right and people will remain staunchly committed to government stores. This is the perfect time to find out.

Ontarians can still get beer at the Beer Store and wine at the Wine Rack. If Ford allows grocery stores to sell all other forms of alcohol, the LCBO could go on strike until the Leafs finally win the Stanley Cup and Ontarians won’t miss out on a single cocktail.

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Thailand’s Proposed Targeted Vape Law: A Misguided Approach to Public Health

Kuala Lumpur, 7th August 2024 (Wednesday) – The recent call by Thailand’s Deputy Public Health Minister, Thanakrit Jitareerat, for a targeted law on vaping highlights a concerning approach to public health policy. Consumer Choice Center believes it is essential to address the arguments presented and provide a perspective rooted in evidence-based policy.

Firstly, the notion that existing measures have been ineffective due to the lack of a specific law overlooks the core issues at hand. The spread of vaping cannot simply be curtailed through prohibition and stringent regulations. Evidence from countries that have adopted harm reduction strategies, such as the United Kingdom and New Zealand, shows that providing regulated access to vaping products can significantly reduce smoking rates and improve public health outcomes. These countries have seen a decline in smoking prevalence as they embrace vaping as a safer alternative to combustible tobacco.

“The argument that vaping is a ‘serious threat to society’ lacks a balanced view of the available scientific evidence. While it is crucial to regulate the industry to ensure product safety and prevent youth access, it is equally important to recognize that vaping is a significantly less harmful alternative for adult smokers seeking to quit,” said Tarmizi Anuwar, Malaysia Country Associate at the Consumer Choice Center.

“Studies, including those by Public Health England, have consistently found that e-cigarettes are at least 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes. Ignoring this evidence in favor of blanket prohibitions only serves to drive the market underground, leading to unregulated and potentially more dangerous products.”

Chairman Banjerd Singkaneti’s suggestion to refine existing laws to provide clearer guidelines for authorities is a step in the right direction. However, this should not lead to a draconian approach where possession of e-cigarettes is criminalized.

Instead, Thailand should focus on creating a regulatory framework that balances public health interests with consumer choice. This includes setting quality standards for vaping products, restricting sales to minors, and providing accurate information to the public about the relative risks of vaping versus smoking.

The increase in seizures of illegal e-cigarettes, from 27,000 in 2020 to 100,000 in 2023, indicates a growing demand that is not being met by current policies. This rise in illegal activity suggests that prohibition is not the answer.

“The increase in seizures of illegal e-cigarettes clearly shows that there is a significant demand that is being driven underground by current policies,” stated Tarmizi Anuwar.

“Thailand should consider the success of other countries that have integrated vaping into their tobacco control strategies, resulting in reduced smoking rates and improved public health outcomes.”

The call for a targeted vape law in Thailand is misguided and ignores the substantial body of evidence supporting harm reduction. Rather than enacting prohibitive measures, Thailand should adopt a regulatory framework that ensures product safety, prevents youth access, and supports adult smokers in making healthier choices. The Consumer Choice Center stands ready to support Thailand in crafting policies that are informed by evidence and promote public health without compromising consumer choice.

CCC Concerns Over MCMC’s Licensing Requirement for Social Media Companies

KUALA LUMPUR, 31st July 2024 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) recent directive for social media companies to register for a license is concerning, potentially paving the way for censorship and suppression of free speech. This policy could hinder open discourse and stifle dissenting opinions, posing a significant risk to democratic principles.

“Requiring social media companies to register for licenses is a step that could limit the free exchange of ideas and opinions. We must be cautious of policies that could lead to overreach and repression,” said Tarmizi Anuwar, Malaysia Country Associate at the Consumer Choice Center.

Furthermore, the potential for increased data vulnerability is alarming. The obligation for companies to share sensitive information with the authorities raises the risk of data breaches, which could severely impact users’ privacy and financial security. The Consumer Choice Center stresses that any regulatory measures should carefully balance public security with the protection of individual freedoms.

Additional concerns include the potential burden on smaller platforms, which may struggle with the compliance costs and administrative requirements of the licensing process. This could hinder innovation and limit competition in the digital market, ultimately reducing consumer choice.

The Consumer Choice Center urges a reevaluation of this policy. We call on the MCMC and the government to engage in dialogue with all relevant stakeholders to develop a framework that upholds both security and the fundamental rights of expression and privacy. A transparent and inclusive process is essential to ensure that the policy aligns with democratic values and the needs of the digital age.

Author: Consumer Choice Center

Swiss train stations best in Europe

Why is Mark Holland making it harder for smokers to quit?

Labour sends mixed messages to global innovators

Google illegally maintains monopoly over internet search, judge rules

CCC Supports Government’s Move to Encourage SMEs and MSMEs Technological Adoption

KOSA and COPPA 2.0 pass in a US Senate vote

Flughafen Zürich ist ‘Top of Europe’

Höchster Komfort: Flughafen Zürich ist der beste in Europa

Labour Party has turned to ‘old roots in meddling with people’s livelihoods and businesses’

Ford must allow grocery stores to sell all alcohol during LCBO strike

Thailand’s Proposed Targeted Vape Law: A Misguided Approach to Public Health

CCC Concerns Over MCMC’s Licensing Requirement for Social Media Companies

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