Belgium becomes first EU nation to ban disposable vapes

Dec 30, 2024

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Craig Nigrelli Anchor

By Craig Nigrelli (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer), Kaleb Gillespie (Video Editor)

Belgium voted to become the first country in the European Union to ban disposable e-cigarettes starting Jan. 1. The measure, part of a national anti-tobacco plan, addresses health risks and environmental concerns linked to single-use devices, which are especially popular among young people.

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Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke described disposable e-cigarettes as being marketed with sweet flavors and low costs, making them particularly appealing to teenagers. He emphasized that these products often contain high levels of nicotine, which is both addictive and harmful.

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The ban seeks to mitigate the environmental impact of disposable vapes. These devices, typically discarded after only a few days of use, contribute to pollution. The plastic components and lithium batteries create hazardous waste.

Belgium’s decision follows approval from the European Commission in March 2024, a required step for implementing such sales restrictions across EU member states.

Efforts across the globe

Other countries in the bloc, including France, are pursuing similar measures.

Globally, Australia restricted vape sales to pharmacies and the United Kingdom plans to ban single-use vapes by mid-2025.

Under the new rules, reusable e-cigarettes will remain available in Belgium. According to Vandenbroucke, alternatives could support individuals trying to quit smoking traditional tobacco products.

The ban is part of Belgium’s broader strategy to reduce tobacco consumption, aligning with the European Union’s goal of achieving a tobacco-free generation by 2040. The EU seeks to lower the smoking population from around 25% to less than 5%.

The legislation also expands smoking bans to public spaces like playgrounds, zoos, sports venues and areas near schools and hospitals.

Mixed reactions

The ban received mixed reactions. Some argue it unfairly targets vaping while overlooking traditional tobacco products, whereas others view it as a necessary step to address health and environmental concerns.

Vandenbroucke urged the European Commission to introduce updated tobacco legislation to reflect these challenges, reinforcing Belgium’s role as a precedent-setter for other EU member states considering similar actions.

Tags: addiction, belgium, E-cigarettes, European Commission, European Union, United Kingdom, Vaping

[Craig Nigrelli]

BELGIUM WILL BECOME THE FIRST EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRY TO BAN DISPOSABLE E-CIGARETTES. STARTING JANUARY 1, THESE SINGLE-USE VAPES WILL NO LONGER BE SOLD, CITING HEALTH RISKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS LINKED TO THEIR POPULARITY, ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.

HEALTH MINISTER FRANK VANDENBROUCKE SAYS THE LOW COST, SWEET FLAVORS, AND HIGH NICOTINE CONTENT MAKE DISPOSABLE VAPES ATTRACTIVE TO TEENS. HE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, WITH PLASTIC AND LITHIUM BATTERIES OFTEN DISCARDED AFTER JUST A FEW DAYS. VANDENBROUCKE STATED THAT NICOTINE IS ADDICTIVE AND HARMFUL, NOTING THESE PRODUCTS MAY CONTRIBUTE TO YOUTH ADDICTION.

THE BAN IS PART OF BELGIUM’S PUSH TO CUT TOBACCO USE, IN LINE WITH THE EU’S GOAL OF A TOBACCO-FREE GENERATION BY 2040. OTHER COUNTRIES ARE TAKING SIMILAR STEPS—AUSTRALIA HAS LIMITED VAPE SALES TO PHARMACIES, AND THE UK PLANS TO BAN SINGLE-USE VAPES BY MID-2025.

THE INDUSTRY DOESN’T EXPECT SIGNIFICANT LOSSES, AS REUSABLE VAPES, WHICH CAN BE REFILLED AND USED LONGER, REMAIN AVAILABLE. VANDENBROUCKE NOTED THESE DEVICES COULD HELP SOME PEOPLE QUIT SMOKING TRADITIONAL TOBACCO.

BELGIUM’S NEW RULES ALSO EXTEND SMOKING BANS TO MORE PUBLIC SPACES, SUCH AS PLAYGROUNDS AND AREAS NEAR SCHOOLS, IN LINE WITH ITS EFFORTS TO REDUCE TOBACCO-RELATED RISKS. THE MOVE HAS PROMPTED CALLS FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO UPDATE TOBACCO LEGISLATION ACROSS THE BLOC.

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