Belgium commits to a tobacco-free generation

The interministerial health conference (CIM), meeting in the Thematic Meeting on Drugs (RTD), approved on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, an interfederal approach to combating certain addictions, particularly tobacco.[1]Through the 2022-2028 interfederal strategy, federal, regional and community ministers are committed to achieving a first tobacco-free generation in Belgium by 2040.

According to the latest consumption data, in 2018, 19% of the population aged 15 and over was smoker in Belgium. The evolution over the last decades is positive since the number of smokers was 25.5 % in 1997 and 20.5 % in 2008. This downward trend is also observed among young people since 15% of 15-24 year olds are smokers in 2018, (11% are daily smokers) compared to 22% in 2013 (17% smoked daily then).

A coherent and complementary set of measures based on the FCTC

The government aims to reduce daily tobacco consumption to 10% among the general population and 6% among those aged 15-24 by 2028. This inter-federal strategy requires long-term, sustainable and secure funding. It also requires a coherent and complementary set of measures, based on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, addressing both tobacco supply and demand to achieve the goal of a tobacco-free generation.

This new strategy is intended to complement existing policy initiatives and strategies already implemented by various governments in this area. Future provisions include:

• The removal of tobacco industry interference in the definition and implementation of public health policies;
• A significant increase in the general price level and the elimination of the price gap between different types of tobacco products through a strong tax policy;
• Improving the provisions regulating the composition of tobacco products;
• The reduction in the number of points of sale of tobacco products and the elimination of shelves displaying packets of tobacco products at points of sale, also known as “under-the-counter sales”;
• The ban on vending machines and the strengthening of controls on the sale of tobacco products over the internet;
• Improving smoking cessation assistance through a multidisciplinary offering and by strengthening the reimbursement of smoking cessation treatments;
• The implementation of a traceability system for all tobacco products;
• The implementation of a sustainable financing mechanism for anti-tobacco activities;
• Reduction of the harmful environmental consequences of tobacco product consumption.

Manufacturer Philip Morris wants to join the discussion table

A few hours after the release of this government strategy, the manufacturer Philip Morris released a press release[2] requesting that the 2022-2028 interfederal tobacco strategy take into account the less harmful alternatives that exist today, according to him, such as heated tobacco and vaping products. This approach is part of a strategy to restore the manufacturer's image with public decision-makers in the hope of returning to the discussion table. Tobacco manufacturers now present themselves as actors committed to health. They thus present themselves as interlocutors for the new regulations envisaged, in particular those concerning new tobacco products. This communication strategy also allows PMI to promote its products by presenting them as safer alternatives. This communication goes against the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention, which formally prohibits any form of direct or indirect advertising in favor of tobacco products, in particular suggesting that some products are healthier than others.

Keywords: Belgium, tobacco-free generation, FCTC, anti-tobacco, Philip Morris, interference

©Generation Without Tobacco

AE