Up to eight in 10 of vape sellers in the Belgium capital of Brussels are violating strict new vape laws, according to a new government report.
On January 1, Belgium became the first European Union country to ban the sale of disposable vapes. Colourful and eye-catching designs and slogans on vapes are also banned.
Heralding the new legislation, Belgian health minister Frank Vandenbroucke said: “Disposable e-cigarettes are designed to attract young people, to appeal to new users who maybe never smoked. E-cigarettes are partly attracting a new generation of smokers.”
In 2023, shopkeepers were given until the end of last year to sell off their remaining stock.
Half of all Belgium shopkeepers violating rules
However, 18 months later, new data from the Belgium health ministry shows half of shopkeepers across the country are violating the new rules.
This non-compliance rate rises to 80 per cent in the capital of Brussels. Violations related to the ingredients of vapes were found in two out of three of all inspections. This means that disposable vapes still on sale are unregulated and potentially unsafe.
The data was requested by MP Els Van Hoof of the Christian Democrats party. She is calling for the government to take the ban further by eliminating the variety of flavours that ‘make vaping seem enjoyable and healthy’. She has submitted a Bill to this effect, which is currently being reviewed by the Chamber of Representatives.
Vandenbroucke has promised harsher penalties if the high rate of violations continues. “And in the worst case, we will not hesitate to close businesses,” he added.
Refillable vapes are not included in the new ban, as ministers acknowledged they are important tools for helping smokers to quit.
The move could ‘push smokers pushed back to deadly habit’
However, vape advocates argue that by removing disposables – the most popular vapes used by former smokers – many will be pushed back to the deadly habit.
They say smarter regulation – including clear labeling, age restrictions, and robust recycling initiatives – is far more effective than outright bans. This is evidenced in Sweden and New Zealand where nicotine alternatives are encouraged and smoking rates are at record lows.
In November, Sweden became the world’s first country to be officially declared ‘smoke free’ (with a smoking rate of under five per cent), and New Zealand is close behind.
Part of a broader push for vape bans
Belgium’s ban is part of a broader push to modernize EU tobacco laws, with Vandenbroucke urging other nations to follow suit.
However, evidence from other countries shows that prohibition rarely works as intended, and can dangerously backfire.
Last year Australia banned all vapes outside of pharmacies, but the move simply fuelled a thriving black market with criminal gangs firebombing tobacco shops across the country in the fight for control of illegal sales.
