News | RIVM

Smokers inhale more tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide when measured with WHO method

RIVM has measured the amount of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide (TNCO) in all filter cigarettes sold in the Netherlands with the WHO Intense method.

Darker cigarettes and other measures to make cigarettes less appealing

There are a number of measures that can be implemented to make cigarettes less appealing and less addictive. For example, manufacturers could make cigarettes a darker colour. They could also stop using ingredients like sugars and flavourings.

Start of invitations for the seasonal flu vaccination

The invitation for the seasonal flu vaccination will land on your doormat this autumn. The flu vaccination protects people who are more likely to become ill or seriously ill from flu because of their age or medical condition.

Antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance remain stable

Antibiotic resistance in the Netherlands remained stable in 2021 compared with the five previous years. This is evident from the 2022 annual NethMap/MARAN report.

In beeld twee handen van een vrouw die 2 antibiotica pillen neemt

Can healthy gut microbes protect us against antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

It is largely assumed within the scientific community that a healthy intestinal microbiome can provide resistance against the settling, growth and multiplication of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Sewage treatment workers not more likely to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Employees at sewage and wastewater treatment plants in the Netherlands and Germany are not more likely to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria than other people.

Loopbrug rioolwaterzuiveringsinstallatie

Unie van Waterschappen

Antimicrobial resistance in the Netherlands stable in 2020

In 2020, the year of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, resistant bacteria were not found more often in patients in the Netherlands than before the outbreak.

Menthol facilitates inhalation of tobacco smoke, even when you cannot taste it

Even when menthol cannot be tasted, the substance makes it easier to inhale tobacco smoke. This way, menthol makes smoking more attractive for young and novice smokers who are not yet used to inhaling sharp, pungent tobacco smoke.

New data on antimicrobial resistance in Europe

New data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in European countries is now available in the sixth annual report of the Central Asian and European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (CAESAR) netw

Antimicrobial resistance stable in the Netherlands

Worldwide, the number of bacteria resistant to antibiotics is increasing. In the Netherlands, this number generally remains stable and is less high than in many other countries.