Belgium: 71% traders sell tobacco to minors

In Belgium, more than two out of three retailers still agree to sell tobacco products to minors, according to a recent mystery shopper survey. Since this year, Belgian legislation provides for sanctions that can go as far as administrative closure.

The sale of tobacco in Belgium is not subject to a state monopoly entrusted to a profession (tobacconists) as in France. Thus, subject to having an authorisation from the Customs and Excise tax service, tobacco products can be sold in food stores, supermarkets, tobacconists, newsagents or newsagents, petrol stations or even cigarette vending machines. The figures, obtained by a member of parliament from the Flemish party Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams, are the result of a mystery shopper survey conducted among 1,100 tobacco retailers. The principle of this study consists of sending adolescents into the shops, accompanied by an adult standing back, who may or may not have observed the act of sale by the retailer.[1].

Even higher levels of infringement in Wallonia

The results of the mystery shopper survey show widespread levels of infringement across the country, with 71% of traders still agreeing to sell tobacco to minors. In Wallonia, non-compliance with protective prohibitions is more pronounced, with 76.5% of traders agreeing to sell tobacco to minors, compared to 68% in Flanders. The figures show that no change in sales behaviour has been observed since last year, when theinvestigation conducted by the Belgian Federal Public Service (FPS) showed that 70% of tobacco outlets did not comply with the regulations. This situation echoes that observed in France: in 2022, a study carried out by an independent institute on behalf of the National Committee against Smoking (CNCT) estimated that nearly two-thirds of tobacconists agree to sell tobacco to minors[2].

Increased sanctions against traders in breach

For the Belgian Minister of Health, Frank Vandenbroucke, the continuation of mystery shopping investigations for the coming years is a "no-brainer". While these offences have until now only led to warnings, a recent reform now allows for stronger sanctions against businesses in the event of non-compliance with the ban on the sale of tobacco to minors, which can go as far as administrative closure. Some countries, such as Canada, have implemented proactive public policies aimed at reducing the sale of tobacco products to minors, achieving high rates of effectiveness (more than 90% of regulatory enforcement), making it possible to significantly reduce the accessibility of products.

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[1] The Free, Two out of three traders still sell tobacco to minors, 12/11/2024, (accessed 13/11/2024)

[2] National Committee against Smoking (CNCT), Two-thirds of tobacconists sell tobacco to minors in France, a damning observation, 10/03/2022, (accessed 13/11/2024)

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