Belgium will ban the sale of disposable vapes starting January 1, making it the first European Union country to enact such a measure.
Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke emphasized the decision was driven by concerns over both public health and environmental harm.
“Disposable e-cigarettes is a new product simply designed to attract new consumers,” Vandenbroucke stated in an interview. He highlighted their appeal to teenagers, describing them as a gateway to nicotine addiction.
“E-cigarettes often contain nicotine. Nicotine makes you addicted to nicotine. Nicotine is bad for your health. These are facts,” he said.
The environmental impact of disposable vapes also played a significant role in the decision. The single-use devices create a significant burden due to their plastic, batteries, and circuitry, which contribute to hazardous waste when discarded.
Unlike disposable vapes, reusable e-cigarettes were not targeted by the ban, as they can serve as tools to help people quit smoking.
Belgium’s move aligns with global trends, following Australia’s strict regulations earlier this year that limited vape sales to pharmacies. Vandenbroucke urged the European Commission to take stronger action across the bloc, stating, “We are really calling on the European Commission to come forward now with new initiatives to update, to modernise, the tobacco legislation.”
