In Belgium, half of e-cigarette sellers are violating new regulations banning attractive designs and slogans promoting the products, according to a report published by media outlets Het Nieuwsblad, Gazet van Antwerpen, Het Belang van Limburg and De Standaard. An infringement rate which rises to 80% of retailers controlled in Brussels-Capital[1].
In 2023, outgoing Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke introduced regulations aimed at reducing the use of e-cigarettes among young people by banning “flashy” designs and slogans. Indeed, the mention or suggestion of a taste, a smell, any aroma, can only be done via a single word and in a specific font and size, in order to make the product less attractive. Manufacturers are also required to display health warnings written in the three languages of the country. These must cover 35% of the surface of the packaging. In addition, a list of authorized substances has been established and new products must be registered before being sold.
A particularly high rate of offenses among retailers
Retailers had until the very beginning of 2024 to sell off their remaining stocks. 18 months later, data provided by the Ministry of Health shows that half of traders are in violation in the country (877 violations noted by the Belgian Federal Public Service -FPS- Health out of the 1746 checks carried out over a period of eight months in 2024). The non-compliance rate even reaches 80% in the Brussels-Capital region. Two thirds of inspections revealed problems with the composition of e-cigarettes, and none of the manufacturers had complied with the obligation to register new products.
So far, the FPS Health has only issued warnings, citing the novelty of the regulations. However, Minister Vandenbroucke assured stricter enforcement, including fines and potential store closures for repeat offenders.
A bill aimed at banning all flavors for vaping products
Els Van Hoof, MP for the CD&V (Flemish Christian Democratic Party), expressed serious concerns about the results of the investigation, particularly regarding the continued sale of non-compliant substances. She points out that authorized ingredients are already harmful to young people and that unapproved substances pose even greater risks. For her, fruity and sweet flavors like watermelon, popcorn or even the “pancake” aroma make vaping more attractive to young people and give a false sense of security regarding the consumption of these products. . Van Hoof has proposed a law to ban these flavors, which is currently under consideration in the Belgian Parliament.
The 1is January 2025, Belgium became the first EU country to ban the sale of disposable vapes in an effort to protect younger generations and the environment. Vandenbroucke said he wanted a similar measure to be taken at EU level: “We call on the European Commission to take new initiatives to update and revise tobacco legislation”[2], he declared.
-©Tobacco Free Generation
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[1] Eight in ten e-cigarette sellers in Brussels violate new rules, Brussels Times, published January 6, 2025, accessed January 8, 2025
[2] Sam Clark, As Belgium’s disposable vape ban looms, health minister urges EU to change smoking rules, Politico, published December 29, 2024, accessed January 8, 2025
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