Tax increases, smoke-free areas, ban on puffs: Belgium presents its anti-smoking plan

In Belgium, the national plan to combat smoking was presented and approved by the Council of Ministers. Led by the Belgian Minister of Health, it proposes a series of key measures, aimed in particular at protecting the younger generations from starting to smoke.

The presentation of this plan comes after a Belgian public health institute warned that Belgium was falling behind in reducing smoking prevalence. Indeed, the number of daily smokers decreased by 40 % between 1997 and 2018, from 25.5% to 15.4%. According to projections, smoking prevalence should only fall below 10% among people over 15 years of age in 2040, whereas the government has set this target for 2028.[1].

A tax increase of 25% on tobacco from 1^er January 2024 in Belgium

Health Minister Franck Vandenbroucke has announced a significant increase in taxes on tobacco products, leading to a 25% increase in the retail price, effective from 1^er January 2024[2]. This tax increase will result in an increase of around two euros on a packet of 20 cigarettes, rising on average from eight to 10 euros, and four euros for a 100 gram jar of rolling tobacco. Such a measure should significantly reduce the price gaps between France and Belgium. The cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris reacted to this tax component by stating that such a measure corresponded to a desire by the Belgian federal government to enrich itself "on the backs of smokers", and that it should lead to an increase in illicit trade.[3]. Such arguments, regularly opposed by the tobacco industry, are however invalidated by scientific research. On the one hand, there is no correlation between tobacco taxation levels and illicit trade levels, and on the other hand, tax revenues associated with tobacco remain significantly below the health, environmental, economic and social costs associated with tobacco consumption.

Widening smoking bans and reducing the accessibility of tobacco products

In 2022, non-smoking areas were extended to amusement parks, animal parks, children's farms and playgrounds. From 2025, these smoking bans will also be applied within a ten-metre radius of the entrance to healthcare and educational establishments, as well as public libraries. These smoking bans must now be systematically signposted. Smoking in transport will also be more strictly regulated, with a ban on smoking in professional transport, such as taxis or VTCs.

On the same date, temporary points of sale will no longer be authorized, including festivals. Belgium, which had planned to ban the sale of tobacco in supermarkets larger than 400 square meters on 1^er January 2026, decided to bring this schedule forward by six months. However, the hotel, restaurant and café sector (Horeca) remains authorized to sell tobacco. Finally, smoking areas in this sector are still permitted, but access to them is prohibited for minors.

Tighter controls in Belgium to protect minors

The law will also require tobacco sellers to ask for an identity card from any buyer who appears to be under 25. In France, since 2026, the law requires tobacconists to systematically check an identity document to prove the customer's majority, regardless of their supposed age. From 2024, Belgian inspection services will have additional powers, allowing them to close the establishment concerned if they find violations. However, these closures are limited to 1 hour to 30 days.

The use of the "mystery shopper" method, which involves having a minor visit a store accompanied by an adult without the seller being informed of the inspection, has not yet been decided.

Tighter regulation of new nicotine products

The plan finally includes a section on the regulation of new nicotine products, since the federal government wants to implement a ban on the marketing of disposable electronic cigarettes (puffs), a measure on which the European Commission should rule in spring 2024. Similarly, the sale of nicotine pouches has been banned since 1^er October 2023.

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[1] Sciensano, Without action, the dream of a 'tobacco-free generation by 2040' goes up in smoke, 12/07/2023, (accessed 27/10/2023)

[2] RTBF, Ban on displaying tobacco products: discover the new measures of the national anti-tobacco plan, 10/24/2023, (accessed 10/27/2023)

[3] North Coast, Tobacco: Belgium to increase price of a packet of cigarettes by 25% on 1 January 2024, 10/26/2023, (accessed 10/27/2023)

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