Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Archives for Public Health

Will TTIP Make Europe Sick?

February 28, 2016

Genval, 28th February 2016 – Right after the 12th Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Brussels negotiations round, it is still unclear if the deadly link between increased trade of alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy food and the growing economic and societal burden of Chronic Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is recognised. While both side of the… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), EU news & updates, Health & Consumers, Public Health, Trade

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Is Health a Priority for the Commission?

February 7, 2016

Genval, 6th February 2016. – I am afraid it is not. Right at the beginning, the Juncker Commission prioritised profit to the health of EU citizens, forgot about health when defined its 10 top priorities, weakened pro-health legislation and a weak mandate was given to the health Commissioner. What is more important: patient safety or… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

EU Priorities 2020, European Integration, Health & Consumers, Medicines, Public Health

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Did We (Temporarily) Loose the Trade Secrets Directive?

January 31, 2016

Genval, 31st January 2016. – Is it really apropriate to raise this question, after the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs (JURI) Committee has endorsed a trilogue deal with the Council on Trade Secrets with an overwhelming political majority (EPP-S&D-ECR-ALDE-EFDD-ENF(!))? I think it is as I believe some of the key public interest concerns were not taken… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), Health & Consumers, Medicines, Public Health, Research & Development, Trade

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Transatlantic Rupture during Transatlantic Dialogue?

January 27, 2016

Genval, 27th January 2016 – While attending yesterday the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) conference on the precautionary principle in the context of the Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations between the European Union and the United States, I have noted quite a few funny statements which made me think further. Here are some of them.… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), Consumer Protection, Global Europe, Health & Consumers, Medicines, Public Health, Trade

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Who cares about the health of refugees?

January 23, 2016

Genval, 22 January 2016 – Refugees have became the most popular scapegoat of European politics and the No.1 challenge of the European integration. While media focuses mainly on spectacular elements such as dismantling Schengen or emerging razor wire fences, little attention was paid to the health status of refugees so far. This is why I… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Global Europe, Human Rights, Medicines, Public Health

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[Guest Post] Who Will Swallow the Hard Pill? – TTIP and Access to Medicines in the EU

January 16, 2016

(author: Laureen Missaire) – The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, a controversial international trade agreement, is being negotiated at this moment and will have some major impact on society and particularly on public health. The negotiations started in July 2013 and the most recent 11th round of negotiations have taken place on 19-23 October 2015… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Health & Consumers, Medicines, Public Health, Trade

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One Comment

Business & Public Interest Groups’ clash on Trade and Public Health

January 13, 2016

Genval, 13. January, 2016 – The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organised a public hearing today where civil society and business representatives had the chance to exchange views on the so-called ‘Trade for all’ EU Strategy. As regards Public Health, the EU Trade Policy has a major impact on our well-being and I did… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), Consumer Protection, Global Europe, Health & Consumers, Public Health, Trade

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What did 2015 bring for Public Health?

January 11, 2016

Genval, 11 January 2016. – Very little I must say. It would be very difficult to me to consider the current Commission Work Programme ‘public health friendly’ as its 10 priorities simply and elegantly ignored public health. One of the reasons why the Juncker Commission delivered so little for improving our well-being so far is… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), Health & Consumers, Public Health

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One Comment

Three Lost Cases for Big Tobacco in 2015

December 28, 2015

Worms, 28 December, 2015. – Why is this a relevant question for a public health advocate? Because of the deadly impact of tobacco consumption on human health and the shameless behaviour of the tobacco industry, as regards tobacco control measures. Concerning the societal harm caused by tobacco use, let’s have no doubts about it: tobacco… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), Health & Consumers, Public Health

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One Comment

ECJ: No judgement on Alcohol Minimum Unit Pricing

December 26, 2015

Worms, 26. December, 2015. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has delivered recently its strange ‘yes and no’ decision on the Scottish Public Health Policy called Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) of alcohol. The Court ruled that in principle a public health policy which may harm internal market and competition (a policy making the cheapest alcoholic… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Agriculture, Civil Society (NGOs), European citizens, Health & Consumers, Public Health

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Blog (Re)Launch: EU ZMK’s Diary

December 25, 2015

Worms, 25 December 2015. After one and half year break I decided to re-launch my EU blog with a different approach. I will continue to share my thoughts about public health relevant European developments but instead of ‘blogging’ in an ordinary way, I decided to launch a public diary which will allow me to share… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), European citizens, Health & Consumers, Public Health

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Tobacco Products Directive: Will the Council Vote on the Right Side?

March 13, 2014

On 14th March 2014, the Council will vote on the revised Tobacco Products Directive. After three years in the making, endorsing the EU’s tobacco products directive should be top of the Council’s ‘to-do-list’. On 26th February 2014, the European parliament approved a better fit for purpose European regulation on tobacco. The new tobacco products directive… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Agriculture, EU news & updates, European Integration, Public Health

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Yes, We Can – Stop the Tobacco Epidemic in Europe

February 13, 2014

Sad, but true: Europe lost its leadership in the world, as regards tobacco control. Despite the not strong enough, weakened Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), Member States still have the opportunity to go further and put Europe back on the right track of tobacco control. (Source of the photo Official website of the Lithuanian EU presidency… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Agriculture, Civil Society (NGOs), EU news & updates, European citizens, European Integration, Public Health

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2 Comments

Stronger European Tobacco Control is a Must for Solving the E-cigarette Problem

January 31, 2014

Electronic cigarettes will be regulated by the recently negotiated Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). E-cigarettes (nicotine inhalators) are both helpful to quit smoking and source of new dangers: long term adverse effects and re-normalisation of smoking. In my opinion, the regulation of e-cigarettes should be linked to have much stronger European tobacco control measures. What are… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), Consumer Protection, Environment, EU news & updates, European citizens, Public Health

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3 Comments

Ten Reasons to Demonstrate: Criminalisation of Hungarian Homeless is not EU Conform

January 5, 2014

In 2010, a Hungarian Law was amended to allow municipalities to ban homeless people from public spaces. Although this law was ruled unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court, the Consitution has been modified to allow prohibition of homelessness in 2013. I’ve collected 10 reasons why is it totally contrary to European laws and values. The incriminated… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), EU news & updates, European citizens, Housing, Human Rights, Hungary, Public Health, Social Europe

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2 Comments

Will the Visegrád quartett (PL-CZ-SK-HU) replace the DE-FR duo in shaping the EU’s future?

July 23, 2013

The Franco-German leadership has gone. The time of the Visegrád group is about to come? The German-French leadership is outdated in a way that the strong Kohl-Miterrand or Schröder-Chirac leadership – which could even confront with the United States about the Iraq war – has gone. Merkozy is broken, France is currently in an economic… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Environment, EU news & updates, European Integration, Human Rights, Hungary, National minorities, Public Health, Roma, Visegrád alliance (PL-CZ-SK-HU)

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3 Comments

How could the public sector build a strong farmer-civil society alliance for a greener Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)?

March 7, 2013

The kick off momentum of the process which resulted this ad-hoc alliance has very likely started at the end of January with the controversial vote of the AGRI Committee of the European Parliament which unfortunately watered down all the promising elements of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform put forward by the Commission. The Council… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Agriculture, Civil Society (NGOs), Environment, Public Health

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The “Silent Killer” Threatens the European Integration

February 19, 2013

(Author of the photo © Chris Freeland) We have enough problems within Europe, haven’t we? The financial markets and the euro is in trouble and the deep dept crisis together with political division between key EU countries threatens the EU in a time when euroscepticism started to triumph again. Why do need we then another… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Environment, Public Health

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5 Comments

Horsemeat Scandal and the Weaknesses of the Single Market: Does the European Court of Justice (ECJ) Have the Philosophers’ Stone in its Pocket?

February 16, 2013

(on the photo Zoltán Massay-Kosubek in Luxembourg as a lawyer-linguist at the European Court of Justice in 2007 © Zoltán Massay-Kosubek) Why is the Single Market a disaster for consumer protection? The EU common market became a threat and a real danger for consumers. With harmonised legislation and without border control the 4 basic freedoms… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Agriculture, Consumer Protection, EU news & updates, European citizens, European Integration, Public Health

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4 Comments

Stricter Vehicle Noise Limits are Beneficial both for the Environment/Public Health and the Car Industry

February 2, 2013

(source of the photo © elmada) Some say that that the European Parliament will be in a very difficult situation next week when it will decide upon the new vehicle noise regulation, since by setting stricter or lighter vehicle noise limits, the Members of the European Parliament should prefer either the population’s public health and… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), Consumer Protection, Environment, Public Health, Research & Development, Transport

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One Comment

A Speech and What is Behind the “Splendid Isolation”

January 24, 2013

(source of the photo © bisgovuk) We all have heard the words of a politician who decided to re-shape the thematic of the ongoing discussions about the future of Europe right in the middle of the financial, economic and dept crisis. But the true question behind “The Speech” is this: does the British PM really… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

EU news & updates, European Integration, Public Health, Roma, Social Europe

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5 Comments

Will the Irish Presidency put Children at the Heart of all EU Policies?

January 12, 2013

From IE PRES to IE PRES: what happened between 2004 and 2013? (source of the photo © European Parliament audovisual service) The euphoria of the ‘Big-bang’, the ‘historic enlargement’ of the EU in 2004 has been passed long ago. Some consider that the promise of the reunification of the old continent has been broken, the… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Children’s well-being, EU news & updates, EU Priorities 2020, European Integration, Public Health, Social Europe

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2 Comments

The 3 Hidden Messages of the 2014-2020 EU Budget

January 2, 2013

In my opinion, one of the key momentums which will be decisive not only for 2013 but also for the medium-term future of the European Integration is the final outcome of the 2014-2020 budget discussions. It is not just about money although the financial stability of the EU integration is crucial. This budget contains also… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Environment, Public Health, Transport

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9 Comments

The Water Shortage as a Danger is not the Privilege of the Third World but the Cruel Reality in the EU

October 30, 2012

(Source of the photo: www.right2water.eu/) Is Water a Human Right in the EU? Is Water Shortage a Matter of Concern in the EU? Can We Sweep this problem under the Carpet(as usual)? Yes, yes and no. Yes, I firmly believe that water is a human right. Yes, there are alarming water shortages within the EU.… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), Consumer Protection, Environment, European citizens, Human Rights, Public Health

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2 Comments

Will Dalligate mean a delayed Tobacco Products Directive? Don’t Let it Happen!

October 24, 2012

We may not be so silly that we give up before the goal! The real issue behind the whole #Dalligate story is not the future position of a single Commissioner or our shaked faith in President Barroso but the failure or success of the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive (2001/37/EC) (Source of the photo… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), Consumer Protection, EU news & updates, Health & Consumers, Public Health

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3 Comments

Nuthsell analysis through a timeline of the Dalli-gate based on a video interview with the Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy

October 17, 2012

“It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything.” (Source of the photo © Tomas Hawk) This nutshell summary is based on a NEW EUROPE VIDEO INTERVIEW with Commissioner John DALLI (Source of the photo © European Commission audivisual service) Basic timeline of the Dalli-gate: February 2012 – The Commission finalised the… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), Public Health

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5 Comments

What is the relevance of a break-in into the offices of 3 public health NGOs from a European perspective?

October 15, 2012

“Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it.” ~Winston Churchill Itt olvasható egy magyar nyelvű összefoglaló a betörésről (Hungarian summary about the brake-in) I witnessed a very targeted and professional break-in into 3 public health related NGOs offices (I work for one of them) on the early morning of 18 October 2012. We can… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), Public Health

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5 Comments

Denmark’s ban on phthalates (dangerous chemicals): a wrong step to the right direction?

August 30, 2012

“He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.” ~Confucius As Euractive reported in its recent article„Danish Environment Minister Ida Auken has decided to ban four industrial chemicals linked to disrupting the human endocrine system, pushing Denmark ahead of the European Union which has… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Consumer Protection, Environment, Public Health

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2 Comments

The Often Forgotten Health Dimension of Biocides on the Occasion of the Publication of the New Biocide Regulation 528/2012/EU on the 27th June 2012 in the Official Journal

July 13, 2012

“Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.” ~Lou Holtz The main purpose of this blog entry is to raise awareness among public health experts concerning a new, recently published piece of the EU’s health related environmental law regulating a specific group of dangerous chemicals: the so-called… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Consumer Protection, Environment, Public Health, Research & Development

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2 Comments

Why can I strongly recommend the inauguration/maintenance of ‘fat’ or ‘sin’ taxes?

July 8, 2012

“It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t.” ~Martin Van Buren Sin taxes may result a WIN-WIN situation under the current economic crisis and they can help to avoid another health crisis. On the one hand, they can produce additional benefits for national budgets and promote a healthier lifestyle… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Agriculture, Agriculture & Food, Consumer Protection, Public Health

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4 Comments

Gondolataim a hálapénz-rendszerről a magyar egészségügyben

June 30, 2012

“Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it’s faced.” ~James Baldwin Comment: this blog entry focuses on the “gratitude money-phenomenon” in Hungary and since this can be considered as a Hungaricum symptom in the Hungarian healthcare system therefore this summary will be edited exclusively in Hungarian since it… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

European citizens, Health & Consumers, Hungary, Medicines, Public Health

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8 Comments

Mini Public Health Day – Second Part (2/2): Mental well-being under economic turmoil: suicides rates are just the top of the iceberg

June 27, 2012

“It’s hard to beat a person that never gives up.” ~Babe Ruth (source of the photo © Mentalhealthhumor.com) “Mini Public Health Day – 19 June 2012” Introductory comment: On the 19th June I faced an inconvenient situation which may occur quit frequently in the life of EU professionals in Brussels due to the high intensity… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Health & Consumers, Public Health, Social Europe

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4 Comments

Mini Public Health Day – First Part (1/2): ‘EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES’ impressions from the STOA-AVIESAN workshop

June 20, 2012

“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” ~Benjamin Franklin “Mini Public Health Day – 19 June 2012” (Owner of the photo © Shuttersparks) Introductory comment: On the 19th June I faced an inconvenient situation which may occur quit frequently in the life of EU… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Health & Consumers, Innovation & Enterprise, Medicines, Public Health, Research & Development

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2 Comments

Restructuring Health Systems: How to Promote Health in time of Austerity

June 6, 2012

“It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.” ~Henry Ford The Impression of an Independent Health Expert on the Spot – EPHA Conference 06/06/2012 Although there were several health related events on 6th June 2012, I decided to take part in the Annual Conference of the European… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Civil Society (NGOs), Consumer Protection, Environment, EU news & updates, EU Priorities 2020, Euro & Finance, Health & Consumers, Human Rights, Medicines, Public Health, Social Europe

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3 Comments

The EU Health Strategy (2008-2013)

May 31, 2012

A review by MEPs, the Commission and the Civil Society in order to make some useful remarks to the new Health Strategy (2014-2020) “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” ~Lewis Carroll I had the honour to participate in a public workshop organized at the European Parliament on… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Children’s well-being, Civil Society (NGOs), European Integration, Health & Consumers, Public Health

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One Comment

Strategy for Strengthening the Rights of Vulnerable Consumers and the Democratic Function of the EP

May 21, 2012

“At one point in your life you either have the thing you want or the reasons why you don’t” ~ Andy Roddick This time I have willingly chosen the last item on the EP’s plenary agenda on 21 May (monday) and the title reflects this approach. Although the end of the public debate was expected… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Agriculture, Agriculture & Food, Children’s well-being, Consumer Protection, Health & Consumers, Public Health, Roma

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2 Comments

Thought Starter about the Role of REACH

May 15, 2012

“Any person who knows all the answers most likely misunderstood the questions.” ~ Dr. Joyce Knudsen After reading and analyzing a consize article on EurActiv about that issue, I decided to draw the general public’s interest to the significance of the REACH regulation. I hope that this short summary can serve as a thought starter… » read more

Posted by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Consumer Protection, Environment, Health & Consumers, Public Health, Research & Development

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2 Comments

Zoltán Massay-Kosubek

Zoltán is Hungarian qualified lawyer ⚖ and a Brussels-based European public health advocate. 💪 He shares his personal views here only.

Zoltán has a proven record on effective campaigning, project delivery and advocacy, and strategic planning, including staff and budget management. Zoltán has extensive knowledge of the Brussels based advocacy arena from a membership based NGO perspective and he is aware of the importance of the internal governance procedures. He has excellent understanding of international diplomacy.

A Hungarian qualified lawyer with a strong commitment to protecting the public interest, he has over 14 years of experience including on international and European affairs at the Ministry for Health of Hungary, as a lawyer-linguist at the European Court of Justice, and as a clerk in national courts.

Zoltán is fluent in English, French, German and native in Hungarian.

Zoltán tweets from @EU_ZMK.


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