The Belgian government is moving to prohibit all e-cigarette flavors with the exception of tobacco, aiming to curb nicotine addiction among young people. Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke stated that flavored vapes are deliberately designed to attract children and mask the potential harms of vaping.
This decision aligns with an updated stance from the Superior Health Council, which now supports stricter limitations. While previously cautious about a total flavor ban, the Council argues that protecting youth outweighs the potential benefits of flavors for adult smokers seeking to quit. Recent national surveys reveal a sharp rise in vaping among Belgian schoolchildren, with nearly one-third having tried e-cigarettes and weekly usage quadrupling over the last five years.
Although an exact implementation date hasn't been announced, Vandenbroucke intends to enforce the ban "as soon as possible." This measure follows earlier policies targeting youth smoking, including bans on disposable vapes and smoking restrictions in youth-frequented areas.
