EU Gives Green Light to Ban Disposables in Belgium

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Mar.22.2024
EU Gives Green Light to Ban Disposables in Belgium
In a decision made public on Tuesday (19 March), the European Commission announced its support for a Belgian bill to ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes in the country.

Recently, according to euractiv, the European Commission announced its support for Belgium's proposed law to ban the sale of disposable e- cigarettes in the country.

 

At the end of December 2022, the Belgian government unveiled its so-called "Smoke-free Generation" federal strategy for 2022-2028, with the primary goal of reducing the number of smokers aged 15-24 to 6% or below by 2028.

 

To achieve this objective, Belgian authorities have decided to ban the sale of disposable e- cigarettes starting from January 1, 2026. To comply with European law, particularly the Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU), Belgium needs approval from the European Commission to implement its new regulations.

 

A Commission statement signed by Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides states: "The ban notified by Belgium on the placing on the market of disposable e- cigarettes containing nicotine has been approved."

 

Currently, only disposable e- cigarettes containing nicotine will be banned.

 

"Given that only disposable e- cigarettes containing nicotine placed on the market fall within the scope of Directive 2014/40/EU, the scope of this decision is limited to such disposable e- cigarettes," the statement clarifies.

 

Belgium is expected to become the first country in the European Union to ban disposable e- cigarettes.

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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.

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