The Belgian Federal Minister of Health, Frank Vandenbroucke, has announced his intention to take decisive action against the use of e-cigarettes, in light of recent studies on the subject. During a plenary session of the Chamber on Thursday, Vandenbroucke presented a five-point action plan to address the growing concern surrounding e-cigarette use among young people.
According to a survey published by the Cancer Foundation on Wednesday, 35% of 15-20-year-olds have already used e-cigarettes, and 32% have done so within the past year. In response to questions from Karin Jiroflée (Vooruit), Els Van Hoof (CD&V), and Mieke Claes (N-VA), Vandenbroucke outlined his plan to tackle this issue.
Five Key Measures to Combat E-Cigarette Use Among Minors
- Mystery Shopping: The minister plans to implement a "mystery shopping" system (using fake clients) to identify businesses that sell e-cigarettes to minors, which is illegal. Sanctions will be imposed on those who violate the law.
- Age Verification: Vandenbroucke is working on a bill that will require merchants to ask for the age of customers who appear to be under 25 years old.
- Banning Disposable E-Cigarettes: The minister aims to ban disposable e-cigarettes, positioning Belgium at the forefront of this issue in Europe. The dossier was submitted to the European Commission in 2021, and Vandenbroucke recently provided additional arguments. He hopes to receive a positive response early next year and implement the ban by 2025.
- Prohibiting Gadgets: Starting January 1, 2024, a ban on the sale of e-cigarette models equipped with lights and other gadgets will come into effect.
- Restricting Product Display: The minister wants to prohibit the display of e-cigarette products in shop windows or displays.
Vandenbroucke's comprehensive action plan demonstrates the Belgian government's commitment to addressing the growing concern surrounding e-cigarette use among young people. By implementing these measures, the government aims to protect minors from the potential health risks associated with e-cigarettes and curb the rising trend of their use.
As the federal government moves forward with this action plan, it is clear that the issue of e-cigarette use among young people is a top priority. The effectiveness of these measures will be closely monitored, and further steps may be taken to ensure the health and well-being of Belgian youth.
