Belgium to Tighten Tobacco Controls in 2027: Vaping Banned on Café & Restaurant Terraces; Shisha Bars to Close

Key Points

• Effective date: January 1, 2027
• Scope of ban: Smoking and vaping prohibited on food-and-beverage terraces; all indoor smoking rooms abolished
• Operator duties: Terraces must display no-smoking signs; placing ashtrays on tables will be penalized
• Enforcement targets: Applies to both individuals and business operators
• Shisha venues: Shisha bars to be shut down; existing exemptions for designated rooms removed
• Regional context: Sweden already bans smoking on terraces; cities like Milan have restrictions; Spain is preparing new rules; the Netherlands has not widely banned smoking on terraces

2Firsts, September 16, 2025 — According to Sozcu, the Belgian government has announced a new round of public-place tobacco control measures. Starting January 1, 2027, smoking traditional tobacco and using e-cigarettes will be prohibited on café and restaurant terraces, and all currently permitted designated indoor smoking rooms will be abolished. As a complementary measure, shisha bars will be closed, and smoking shisha in “designated rooms” will no longer be allowed.

Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke said the legislation aims to reduce smoking prevalence and curb the use of e-cigarettes. Once the ban takes effect, individual violators will face fines, and smoking in the vicinity of terraces will also fall under enforcement. To ensure compliance, operators will be required to display clear no-smoking signage in prominent terrace locations. The minister emphasized that “even placing ashtrays on tables may be considered a violation and be subject to penalties.”

Reports note that the ban targets both customers and business premises. Hospitality operators should promptly assess terrace management and signage, and establish in-house compliance guidelines and staff training to meet enforcement requirements from 2027.

The move aligns with a broader tightening of tobacco control across Europe: Sweden already bans smoking on terraces; cities such as Milan have introduced similar restrictions; Spain is preparing new rules; and in the Netherlands, outdoor terraces have not been comprehensively banned. Belgian authorities say clear rules and enforcement will improve smoke-free public spaces and reduce the health impact of nicotine products.