Smoking and vaping on terraces and in designated smoking areas are set to be outlawed in Belgium by the year 2027.

In a bid to protect public health, Belgium has announced a comprehensive anti-tobacco strategy that includes a nationwide ban on smoking and vaping on public terraces and in designated smoking rooms, effective from 1st January 2027. This ban is part of a long-term strategy aimed at reducing smoking-related illnesses and deaths.

The decision to implement the ban was made after the Belgian government approved a series of tax increases on tobacco products between 2020 and 2024. These increases have caused a nearly 60% increase in the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes and more than 90% increase in the cost of loose tobacco. The price of e-cigarettes has also risen due to these tax increases.

The ban will apply to restaurant and cafe terraces, smoking rooms in airports, hospitality establishments, and venues such as cigar clubs and shisha bars. From 2025, supermarkets and festivals will no longer be allowed to sell tobacco products.

To ensure compliance, establishments will be required to display clear signage informing customers of the ban and actively discourage smoking. Failure to comply with the signage requirements or turning a blind eye to violations could result in penalties.

The ban is not the first step in Belgium's efforts to combat smoking. In recent years, the country has been gradually tightening its tobacco legislation. Shops will be prohibited from displaying cigarettes, vapes, and other smoking paraphernalia. Tighter advertising rules will require retailers to ask for proof of age from any buyer who looks under 25, with strict enforcement and heavy fines promised for breaches.

The government also plans to reduce points of sale. Cigarette vending machines will be banned from 2024, the sale of tobacco at bars, cafes, and festivals is expected to be prohibited from 2025, and the sale of tobacco in supermarkets will be phased out entirely by 2028.

Countries like France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, and France have taken similar steps in recent years, introducing tighter rules on smoking in public spaces, raising taxes, and restricting sales to discourage new generations from taking up the habit.

Smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in Belgium, killing around 40 people every day or roughly 14,000 per year, and approximately 300,000 Belgians are living with smoking-related illnesses. According to the most recent Sciensano Health Survey, 17.6% of the Belgian population currently smokes, with 12.8% smoking daily. E-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among younger people, with 21.7% of the Belgian population reporting having tried an e-cigarette at least once in 2023 and 2024.

The ban was originally scheduled for 2026, but was delayed by one year to give the hospitality industry and other sectors time to adapt. The delay of the terrace ban until 2027 reflects the government's attempt to balance public health priorities with the realities faced by businesses. By 2025, amusement parks, playgrounds, sports grounds, and zoos will become smoke-free zones.

Belgium's anti-tobacco strategy represents one of the most comprehensive in Europe, aiming to reduce the visibility, accessibility, and attractiveness of tobacco products, and to create a healthier environment for all citizens.

Smoking and vaping on terraces and in designated smoking areas are set to be outlawed in Belgium by the year 2027.