Belgium becomes the first EU country to ban disposable e-cigarettes, with the ban set to take effect in 2025

Belgium becomes the first EU country to ban disposable e-cigarettes, with the ban set to take effect in 2025

The Belgian Minister of Health warned that the use of e-cigarettes by teenagers has surged. From January 2025, Belgium will become the first country in the European Union to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes to reduce youth smoking and environmental impact.

According to Reuters on December 19, the Belgian government recently launched a national campaign to combat smoking. Government data shows that most young Belgian smokers start smoking by using e-cigarettes instead of traditional cigarettes.

It is reported that Belgium will become the first EU country to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes from January 2025.

Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke told Reuters,

"Disposable e-cigarettes are designed to attract young people and lure new users who may never smoke. E-cigarettes attract a new generation of smokers."

Although supporters of e-cigarettes believe that they help quit traditional cigarettes, health authorities have expressed concerns about their colorful designs and flavors that attract children. Belgian law prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes to minors under the age of 18.

According to a 2022 World Health Organization survey of 20,000 Belgian teenagers aged 11 to 18, 12% had used e-cigarettes in the 30 days before the survey, double the proportion in 2018.

Germany and France are enacting similar laws, while the UK, which is no longer a member of the European Union, announced that it will ban the sale of e-cigarettes from June 2025. Belgium hopes its ban will also reduce the environmental impact of discarding disposable e-cigarettes containing plastics, chemicals and non-rechargeable batteries.