On October 31, 2025, Santé publique France, together with the Ministry of Health, Families, Autonomy and Persons with Disabilities, and Assurance Maladie, officially launched the tenth edition of the national campaign Mois sans tabac (“Tobacco‐Free Month”). The initiative invites smokers across France to stop smoking for one month, beginning Saturday, November 1.

A milestone edition with stronger regional action

This anniversary edition continues the campaign’s commitment to helping people quit smoking, offering enhanced tools and a more robust field presence. The aim is to reach even more participants, especially those who may be less connected to health‐support systems.

Since 2016, the campaign has engaged more than 2.35 million people in a quit attempt. In 2024 alone, nearly 134,000 individuals registered and more than 5,600 partner organisations participated — confirming the initiative’s status as a major public health action.

Evaluation data shows that for every euro invested in the campaign, more than seven euros are saved in healthcare costs, while thousands of cases of tobacco‐related diseases (such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory infections) are averted.

Comprehensive support and outreach

Participants can use a range of free and easily accessible tools:

• A dedicated website offering personalized advice and daily follow‐up.
• The “Tabac Info Service” app provides 24/7 support.
• A free help line (39 89) for tailored assistance from tobacco‐treatment specialists.
• Free quit‐kits are available in pharmacies and online.
• On‐the‐ground events: information booths, workshops, and public activities run in collaboration with health professionals, employers, and local businesses. In 2025, the campaign is expanding its regional reach: in six regions (Occitanie, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Brittany, Grand Est, Pays de la Loire, and Bourgogne Franche-Comté), travelling mobile units will bring support and counselling directly to public spaces such as shopping centres and train stations. These efforts supplement the 18,000 partner pharmacies offering quit-kits and on‐site information.
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• A modern twist: “Stoplist” on social media

From October 24 to November 30, this year’s campaign introduces “Stoplist” — a music‐focused activation across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Six artists/influencers (Angy, Bleu Berline, Paul, Willbe, Hey ! Fantôme, and Cerberas) will invite online communities to replace a 3-minute craving for a cigarette with a self-recorded cover of a song. Participants can upload their version or like the artists’ versions to unlock a full music video. The idea is to use creative, pop-culture formats to engage smokers in a different way.

Why it matters

According to Dr Caroline Semaille, Director-General of Santé publique France:

“In ten years, the number of daily smokers in France has dropped by four million. This national challenge, which starts in just a few days, is a concrete opportunity for everyone who wants to free themselves.”

With one in two current smokers wanting to quit, this edition of Mois sans tabac offers both structure and community to support that intention. The collective effort of health professionals, partner organisations, and local actors underscores the importance of the campaign for France’s fight against tobacco.

Local spotlight: Guadeloupe

In Guadeloupe, the regional health agency (Agence régionale de santé Guadeloupe) will host stands on two mornings: on November 18 at the Hall of the CHU Pointe‑à‑Pitre and on November 20 at the Palais Royal. The Mutualité general social security (CGSS) will also run workshops for youth via the regional mission locale.

The 2025 Mois sans tabac campaign blends tried-and-tested public-health strategies with new, culturally-relevant activations — giving smokers in France fresh momentum and broad support to take a 30-day quit challenge.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday, October 25, 2025, the Sint Maarten Youth Parliament launched the 2025 Annual Interscholastic Debate Competition (AIDC). This year’s contest features four schools: Milton Peters College, St. Maarten Academy, St. Dominic High School, and Caribbean International Academy.

The first debate featured Milton Peters College against St. Maarten Academy, with Milton Peters College defending the moot: “The practice of regulating black hair, including the banning of edges, perpetuates anti-blackness and colonial beauty standards.” Milton Peters College emerged victorious in that contest. The Best Speaker title was awarded to Asante Philipps, the second speaker for the Milton Peters College.

The competition continues this Saturday, November 1 at 6:30 pm, with two debates. The first debate will feature St. Dominic High and St. Maarten Academy. St. Dominic will defend the moot: “Schools have a moral obligation to ban or severely restrict the use of generative AI tools to protect students from the risks of misinformation, bias, and data privacy issues.”

In the second debate, Milton Peters College will compete against Caribbean International Academy, defending the moot: “Prioritizing the full inclusion of students with disabilities in all school activities can negatively impact the academic and social experience of other students.”

The debates take place at the University of St. Martin, Room 202. Admission is US$ 2.00. Come out and support your favourite team!

`A cultural showcase of iconic looks, bold creativity, and Fearless energy set to light up the Parades.`

PHILIPSBURG:---  Following the June announcement of its 2026 Carnival theme, Secrets Mas SXM by Rio Productions proudly presents REFLECTIONS, a vibrant tribute to St. Maarten’s culture.

As the island celebrates its 55th Carnival anniversary, REFLECTIONS is more than a theme; the 2026 showcase will honor the craft, rhythm, laughter, and devotion that define St. Maarten’s culture. Iconic designs from past seasons will return in vibrant reinterpretations. REFLECTIONS celebrates the soul of who we are and the connection between culture, music, movement, and community. 

“REFLECTIONS as a theme is deeply personal to me,” said Brenda Wathey of Rio Productions. “We’re celebrating where we’ve been and where we’re headed, but also the people and the passion that have carried Carnival through the years. It honors our history while infusing it with bold creativity, fearless energy, and a deep love for the culture. It’s about honoring the hands and hearts that built carnival and channeling their legacy through new designs and reinterpretations. Dating back to the very beginning with our costume designers Gregory Medina and Christopher Santos, right up to Dellan Thomas and Alicia Hart”.

“Each section tells a story, fusing traditional craftsmanship with contemporary flair and energy, and every element in our costumes blends the beauty of yesterday with the brilliance of today. Revellers will see that what we’re bringing to the road in 2026 is not just costumes or fashion; it’s carnival itself, that magical moment when culture, art, and people come together as one,” said Alicia Hart, Lead Designer.

Participants can expect:

• Bold designs.

• Vibrant energy
• A celebration of culture.

• An unforgettable road experience.

“As Rio Productions is known for its lighted parades, we’re especially thrilled to see this concept now officially included in the SCDF Carnival schedule,” added Wathey. “What began as a creative spark grew into one of the island’s most anticipated parades outside of Carnival, and we’re excited to see that same light and energy continue through the 2026 Labor Day Parade. We invite all Carnival lovers to join in the experience. This is the season to celebrate boldly, fearlessly, and make unforgettable memories.”

InterExpo Caribbean NV organizes the 36^th congress “Fifteen years after 10/10/10” on 9, 10 and 11 December 2025 in the press- and debate centre Nieuwspoort in The Hague.

10 October 2010 is a memorable day. On this day, in accordance with the policy of the fourth Balkenende cabinet, the Netherlands Antilles were dissolved and the countries of Curaçao and Sint Maarten were established. The islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba became part of the Netherlands as public entities on that day.

The 36^th Congress aims to be a retrospective of fifteen years since the constitutional reform of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Political officials, parliamentarians, representatives from the business community, and academia will gather for a wide-ranging debate on the development of the autonomous islands and public bodies in the Caribbean within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A variety of current topics will be addressed during the congress. The key question is: what do the islands expect from the Netherlands, and what does the Netherlands expect from the islands?

The conference will be officially opened by State Secretary Eddie van Marum of Kingdom Relations. Keynote speakers include Minister of State Prof. Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende, the National Ombudsman Mr. Reinier van Zutphen, Prof. Dr. Edwin Bleichrodt, Attorney General at the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, Ms. Sarah Wescot-Williams, Speaker of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, Drs. Luc Mercelina, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Mr. Mike G. Eman, Prime Minister of Aruba, and many others.

During the conference, a joint presentation will be given by Mr. Geoffrey Wever, Minister of Finance of Aruba, and Ms. Lidewijde Ongering of the Financial Supervision Board (CFT). The core of the presentation will be how the CFT anticipates the current financial situation and what the future holds.

The conference offers space for speakers who are critical of the structure of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the roles played and still played by the Netherlands and its Caribbean constituents. It also features speakers who champion the shared values ​​within the Kingdom and the opportunities it offers.

Over the past year, elections have been held in various countries within the Kingdom, and new parliaments have been installed. It is unique that all the countries within the Kingdom are meeting in The Hague, in the Tweede Kamer building, with new members of parliament so soon after a new parliament was installed in the Netherlands. This provides an opportunity for parliamentarians from the various countries within the Kingdom to get acquainted and exchange ideas.

The conference also provides a platform for scholars to reflect on relevant aspects of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom from their own perspectives.

Several panel discussions will be chaired by Prof. Dr. Ernst Hirsch Ballin, former Minister of Justice and Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands, and Ms. Suzy Camelia Römer, former Prime Minister of Curaçao, politician, and currently a research associate at the University of Curaçao. The conference chair will be Prof. Dr. Peter Diekman RA.

Curaçao, 30 October 2025