The European Commission announced on Tuesday (19 March) its support for a Belgian bill to ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes, also known as 'puffs,' in the country. This decision, made public in a note signed by Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, aligns with Belgium's 2022-2028 inter-federal strategy for a tobacco-free generation.
Belgium aims to reduce the number of smokers aged 15-24 to 6% or less by 2028. To achieve this goal, the Belgian authorities plan to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, primarily used by young people, starting from 1 January 2026.
Compliance with European Law and Scope of the Ban
To comply with European law, particularly the Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU), Belgium needed to obtain the European Commission's approval to implement its new provisions. The Commission's decision is limited to disposable e-cigarettes containing nicotine, as only these products fall within the scope of the directive.
Although Belgium would have preferred a ban on nicotine-free puffs as well, the current decision only covers disposable e-cigarettes containing nicotine.
Other European Countries Follow Suit
France, Germany, and Ireland are working on similar legislation to ban disposable e-cigarettes. French MP Francesca Pasquini (Ecologiste, The Greens/ALE), the rapporteur for a similar bill in France, told Euractiv, "This decision is good news for the health of Belgians, for Belgium and for environmental protection."
In France, the government will convene a joint committee (CMP) at the Senate on Thursday (21 March) to consider the bill to ban puffs. If approved, France, like Belgium, will seek approval from the Commission, which will have six months to make its decision.
The French Alliance Contre le Tabac (ACT) welcomes the European Commission's decision to authorize Belgium's ban on puffs, stating that it "augurs well for France."
As more European countries move to ban disposable e-cigarettes, the fight against youth smoking and the push for a tobacco-free generation gain momentum, with the European Commission's support playing a crucial role in this endeavor.
