Belgium: Most shops sell tobacco and alcohol to minors

According to the Federal Public Service for Public Health (FPS), which carried out mystery shopping checks, more than three out of four supermarkets and convenience stores checked do not check the age of young people who come to buy tobacco, alcohol or vaping products in Belgium.[1]. Nearly 70% agree to sell tobacco to a minor.  

For the second year in a row, the Belgian government conducted test purchases with 26 minors aged 15, 16, and 17 during the summer of 2024. Two young people were sent to the stores as mystery shoppers, and two FPS inspectors observed the situation anonymously.

In total, 1,057 checks were carried out and 172 reports were drawn up, mainly for cases that had already been the subject of a warning last year.

Regulations that are largely unenforced

In Belgium, the sale of spirits is prohibited to those under 18, the sale of beer and wine is prohibited to those under 16, and the sale of tobacco and vaping products is prohibited to those under 18.

The results show that 69.8% of retailers sell tobacco products to minors under 18. The highest number of violations is observed in convenience stores (day and night) and supermarkets, where 75% agree to sell to minors. 72.4% of gas stations and 60% of newsagents agreed to sell. These data are similar to those resulting from checks carried out in 2023. Regarding vaping devices, 69.7% of businesses agreed to sell to minors, compared to 67.1% in 2023.

For alcohol, 81.1% of merchants agreed to sell to a minor: 87% of offenses in bars and restaurants, 80% in supermarkets and 78% in grocery stores (compared to 90% in 2023).

For alcoholologist Martin de Duve, the law governing alcohol is too vague and ambiguous: "We don't really understand what we can sell and at what age. Especially since the alcohol market is evolving and it's no longer 'wine and beer' on one side and everything else on the other."  The Higher Health Council also recommends banning all alcohol for those under 18.

Tobacco sales to be banned in major supermarkets

Belgium has recently implemented several strong measures to combat smoking and achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2040.[2]. From April 1, 2025, supermarkets larger than 400 m² will no longer be able to sell tobacco products in Belgium. Furthermore, it will be prohibited to have displays of tobacco and nicotine products in places still authorized to sell them. This ban on product displays means that the products will no longer be visible to customers in sales locations. In addition, to help better enforce the ban on sales to minors, retailers will be required to request ID from anyone likely to be under 25 years old. Finally, Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke wants to strengthen existing controls to impose fines on retailers who are found to be in violation.

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1] Stefan Van RompaeyThree-quarters of supermarkets still sell tobacco and alcohol to minors, Retail Detail, published August 28, 2024, accessed August 30, 2024

[2] Press release, Towards a Tobacco-Free Generation: 10 Steps for a Healthy Future, published October 24, 2023, accessed August 30, 2024