Belgium has taken a pioneering step in public health and environmental protection by becoming the first European Union (EU) country to ban disposable e-cigarettes. The ban, which takes effect on January 1, 2025, is part of the country’s broader anti-tobacco plan aimed at safeguarding young people and curbing nicotine addiction.
Disposable e-cigarettes, popular for their vibrant packaging and enticing flavours like apple, watermelon, and cola, have drawn widespread criticism for their appeal to young users. Though marketed as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco products, these single-use vapes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance.
“The problem is that young people start using vapes without always knowing their nicotine content, and nicotine is addictive,” explained Nora Melard, spokeswoman for Belgium’s Alliance for a Tobacco-Free Society.
Melard also raised concerns over the growing dependency among teenagers, noting some users even wake up at night to take puffs.
Belgium’s federal government proposed the ban in 2021, receiving EU approval in March 2024. This enabled the legislation to move forward, effectively banning the sale of single-use vapes nationwide.
France is also following suit, with plans to outlaw the production, sale, and free distribution of disposable e-cigarettes. Violators in France could face fines of up to €100,000.
Critics of disposable vapes have highlighted not only their health risks but also their environmental impact. The devices, often discarded within five days of purchase, contribute to plastic waste and contain lithium batteries that exacerbate environmental damage.
By contrast, rechargeable e-cigarettes can last for six to seven months, significantly reducing waste.
The ban has sparked mixed reactions in Belgium. While some young users question why tobacco products remain legal despite their dangers, others see the measure as a step in the right direction.
“There are a lot of young people who start without necessarily thinking about the consequences,” said Yona Bujniak, a Brussels resident who supports the ban.
The ban aligns with the EU’s long-term goal of achieving a tobacco-free generation by 2040, reducing the bloc’s smoking population to less than 5%. Other countries are considering advancing this timeline, as disposable vapes become increasingly scrutinised for their public health and environmental implications.
