Belgium Plans to Ban All Vape Flavours Except Tobacco, Backed by Health Council

Nov.19

Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke has announced plans to ban all e-cigarette flavours except tobacco, following new advice from the Superior Health Council (CSS). The move marks a major policy shift, as the Council now fully supports flavour restrictions to curb youth vaping.

Key Points

Main Measure: Ban on all vape flavours except tobacco.
Scientific Basis: CSS reverses its earlier stance, endorsing restrictions.
Regional Reference: The Netherlands introduced a similar ban in January 2024 with “encouraging results.”
Minister’s Statement: Vandenbroucke called vaping “a criminal industry’s invention to addict a new generation.”
Timeline: Implementation date remains uncertain pending formal procedures.

2Firsts — November 13, 2025 —According to Belgian media RTI, Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) announced plans to ban all e-cigarette flavours except tobacco, citing a new position paper from the Superior Health Council (CSS).

The Council, which had previously been hesitant about a total ban, now unanimously supports tighter controls. Experts say that fruity and sweet flavours conceal the real harms of nicotine and make vaping more appealing to adolescents.

“Vaping is an invention of a criminal industry seeking to addict a new generation of children to nicotine,” said Vandenbroucke in an interview with Belgian newspapers. “These countless flavours mask the enormous harmfulness of the product.”

The Netherlands has already banned all non-tobacco vape flavours since January 2024, and authorities there report encouraging results.

While the exact implementation date remains unclear, Vandenbroucke said he hopes to enact the ban as soon as possible, though the necessary legislative process could take time.

Image source: RTI.

References:

[1] Frank Vandenbroucke veut interdire tous les arômes de vape en Belgique… sauf un : « Une invention d’une industrie criminelle »

Also Read:

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

[2] Belgium’s Health Minister Proposes EU-Wide Ban on E-Cigarette Sales

[3] Belgium Implements Tobacco Display Ban Starting April 1st

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