Home Politics Europe Belgium’s Ban on Disposable Vapes and Other Worrying Measures in Europe

Belgium’s Ban on Disposable Vapes and Other Worrying Measures in Europe

In what is an EU first, Belgium has just banned disposable vapes, Portugal has just extended extended current smoking restrictions to vaping products and

Diane Caruana

January 4, 2025

A trend towards stricter measures on vaping products in Europe, is sparking concern among tobacco harm reduction (THR) advocates. Proposed restrictions include higher taxes, flavour bans, and stricter advertising rules. Critics warn that such policies could undermine smoking cessation efforts, limit access to safer alternatives, and inadvertently fuel black markets, risking public health and consumer safety.

Starting in January, Belgium will become the first European Union nation to ban the sales of disposable vapes. This decision is motivated by concerns over the products’ detrimental effects on the environment, but most of all the widespread fear that their appeal to minors is leading a whole new generation into a nicotine addiction.

Hrsh vape policies could undermine smoking cessation efforts, limit access to safer alternatives, and inadvertently fuel black markets, risking public health and consumer safety.

The ban is part of Belgium’s broader anti-tobacco strategy. Government statistics have suggested that many young Belgians begin consuming nicotine via vapes instead of traditional tobacco products. Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke emphasized the role of disposable vapes in attracting a new generation of smokers, particularly through their colorful designs and fruity flavours.

While proponents of vaping products argue that vapes can assist individuals in quitting traditional smoking, critics obsess on their allure for younger audiences. Belgium’s move aligns with similar efforts in other countries. Germany and France are working on legislation to ban single-use vapes, while the UK, no longer part of the EU, plans to enact its own disposables’ ban in June 2024.

Portugal fails to differentiate between safer alternatives and combustible tobacco

Portugal has also recently revised its tobacco legislation, introducing significant changes related to vaping products. The new rules classify vapes as traditional tobacco products, affecting market accessibility and consumption trends. The new measures prohibit sales to minors and limit use in public spaces, with the aim of reducing nicotine addiction and fostering a smoke-free environment. However, as predicted by THR experts, these regulations are pushing consumers to explore alternative nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches (NPs), which have emerged as viable, tobacco-free options.

Free from combustion or vapour, nicotine pouches offer a smokeless, and discreet, therefore convenient alternative that aligns with evolving consumer needs. Being user-friendly, and falling outside conventional smoking bans, these products are becoming an increasingly attractive choice. NPs’ are also gaining popularity due to their customizable features, such as varying strengths and flavours, and most of all their lower health risks which align with the global shift toward wellness-focused lifestyles. This trend reflects changing consumer priorities and a growing preference for harm-reducing alternatives.

Counterproductive taxes

Meanwhile, Bulgaria is set to implement higher excise taxes on tobacco products starting in 2025, according to Novinite. While the article did not explicitly mention a tax increase on vaping products, it did mention that herbal and other smoking products, including nicotine-free alternatives will have excise hikes imposed on them, while heated tobacco taxes will jump from LEV331 to LEV400 per kilogram.

Similarly, Italian lawmakers have updated the fiscal framework, extending excise duties to non-combustible tobacco products and taxing e-liquids used in e-cigarettes. This came in response to Italy’s changing tobacco market, with next-generation products like e-cigarettes rising from 4% to 18% of the market between 2019 and 2023, reducing traditional cigarette sales.

Last September, Italy’s Chamber of Deputies’ finance committee held hearings with three tobacconist organizations, marking the first time politicians formally acknowledged the nicotine sector as a legitimate stakeholder. The finance committee aims to review the tax system’s alignment with EU rules and examine the illicit trade, which the Italian Tobacconist Federation estimates to be worth €1 billion.

As Europe considers stricter vaping regulations, it is vital that lawmakers prioritize the smoking cessation needs of adults. Policies must balance protecting youth with ensuring access to safer alternatives for smokers. Ignoring this balance risks hindering harm reduction efforts and jeopardizing the progress made in reducing smoking-related diseases across the continent.

https://www.vapingpost.com/2024/09/19/more-senseless-vape-restrictions-crafted-by-the-european-commission/