Health authorities in Belgium are moving to ban flavored e-cigarettes, allowing only tobacco flavors, as part of efforts to limit youth vaping. The nation’s health minister, Frank Vandenbroucke, announced the plan on Wednesday, following updated recommendations from the Superior Health Council.
Vandenbroucke said flavored e-cigarettes are designed to appeal to children and mask the potential harms of vaping.
The Superior Health Council, which had previously been cautious about a complete flavor ban, now supports stricter restrictions, arguing that protecting young people outweighs potential benefits of certain flavors for adults trying to quit smoking.
Recent surveys show a sharp rise in vaping among Belgian school pupils, with nearly one-third having tried e-cigarettes. Weekly use among youth is now four times higher than it was five years ago.
The government has not yet announced when the ban will take effect, but Vandenbroucke said he aims to implement it “as soon as possible”. The move builds on earlier measures targeting youth, including restrictions on disposable vapes and limits on smoking in areas frequented by young people.
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