According to The Mayor.EU's report on July 11th, the Belgian Federal Public Health Service (FPS) announced that starting April 1, 2025, all shops nationwide will not be allowed to publicly display the tobacco products they sell. This means not only hiding brand logos, but also hiding the actual products themselves.
The aim of this restriction is to reduce the smoking rate in the country by decreasing the visibility of tobacco products.
The measure, which was supposed to take effect on January 1st, has been delayed by three months. The ban applies to all types of tobacco and smoking-related products, including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, filters, and rolling paper.
Furthermore, the Belgian government has raised the price of cigarettes through taxation this year, and has committed to increasing the number of smoke-free public places.
The ban applies to all retailers in Belgium but not to wholesalers. Non-compliance with the restriction may result in up to one year of imprisonment and fines ranging from 2,000 to 800,000 euros.
According to the Belgian news agency Belga, the Belgian e-cigarette retail and distribution alliance VapeBel has expressed disappointment. The alliance stated that professional shops play a role in effectively verifying the age of customers and introducing e-cigarette products as a smoking cessation tool for adult smokers.
VapeBel calls for exceptions to be made for professional stores.
Authorities have stated that retailers should compile price lists that include the names and brands of tobacco products, so that customers know what is available in stores. However, these price lists must not contain any brand logos.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
