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Belgium will be the first country in the European Union to ban disposable versions of electronic cigarettes, better known as disposable vapes. That makes VRT news known. The vapes are especially popular among young teenagers.
The disposable version of the vapes comes in many different flavors – from banana to watermelon and cotton candy – and is sold in night shops or online. They are especially popular with young teenagers, from around 12 years old. “There is very clever marketing aimed at young people,” says Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit). “It is really intended to get young people and even children to vape.”
A new Royal Decree, which will soon be published, now bans the sale of these disposable vapes from January 1, 2025. “We really want to prevent new generations from becoming addicted to smoking,” says Vandenbroucke. Nothing will change for the regular vape – the sale of which to minors is already prohibited. “Vaping is also used as a smoking cessation tool,” said the minister. “We have decided that they can no longer be offered with lights and other things to make them attractive. It should not be a product to learn to smoke, but to stop smoking.”
