Belgium has become the first European Union (EU) country to impose a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, effective from January 1, 2025. The ban is part of the country’s broader national anti-tobacco initiative aimed at safeguarding young people’s health.
The ban prohibits the sale of single-use vapes, which have gained popularity for their variety of flavours, particularly among younger users. This move is in line with the EUβs goal of achieving a tobacco-free generation by 2040, reducing the smoking rate in the 27-nation bloc from about 25% to under 5%.
Although e-cigarettes are marketed as a less harmful alternative to traditional tobacco, their nicotine content raises concerns. Nicotine is highly addictive, and critics worry that e-cigarettes could act as a gateway to smoking traditional cigarettes. In Belgium, the Alliance for a Tobacco-Free Society’s spokesperson, Nora Melard, expressed concerns over the increasing number of young people using vapes without understanding their nicotine content, with some even using them throughout the night.
Belgium has been proactive in addressing the potential risks of disposable vapes, which first entered the market over five years ago. In 2021, the Belgian government proposed the ban to the European Commission, which approved the measure in March 2024, paving the way for the law to take effect.
France is also preparing to implement a similar ban, with stricter penalties for violations, including fines of up to 100,000 euros ($104,000).
Health authorities in both countries have highlighted the dangers of chronic nicotine use, particularly for adolescents, who may be more susceptible to its effects. A 2023 EU study found that disposable vapes were particularly popular among young people aged 15 to 24. The single-use vapes are cheap and easy to use, costing around five to six euros, which is about half the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes. Some of these vapes can last up to 9,000 puffs, equivalent to over 300 cigarettes.
While some young users have expressed confusion over why vapes are banned but not traditional tobacco products, others have supported the ban. Opponents of disposable vapes also point to the environmental impact, as the plastic and lithium battery in these vapes are often discarded after just a few days of use, contributing to waste.
As the ban approaches, many tobacco shops in Brussels are already running out of single-use e-cigarettes, as they can no longer be replenished.
