Belgium Introduces New Tax Policy on E-liquid

According to a report by overseas media outlet BNN, Belgium will implement a new tax policy on e-liquids starting from January 1, 2024. A tax of 15 cents per milliliter will be imposed. This move has sparked discontent among e-cigarette users and retailers who fear that increased costs may lead people to revert back to traditional tobacco cigarettes.

E-cigarette user and retailer Pierre expresses concern over the new tax policy as it could impact his income and potentially lead people to revert back to traditional cigarettes, posing a health risk. Retailers located near the border also express pressure, fearing potential loss of business due to the absence of this tax in neighboring countries.

A spokesperson for the Federal Treasury Department has stated that the tax rates for this tax policy are consistent with those in Germany and may potentially increase in the coming years. Furthermore, they have clarified that their objective is not to encourage people to revert back to traditional smoking, but rather to recognize that e-cigarettes are also tobacco products and should be treated as temporary measures.

The purpose of the new tax policy is to prevent teenagers aged 15 to 24 from experimenting with e-cigarettes, particularly those who have never smoked before.