ALBAWABA - Effective January 1, Belgium will prohibit the sale of disposable vapes, citing concerns over their impact on youth health and environmental sustainability, according to Euro News.
This ruling marks a turning point in the battle against tobacco and nicotine addiction, which puts Belgium the first nation in the EU to enact such a ban.
Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke emphasized the dangers of disposable vapes, which are often sold with eye-catching packaging and teen-pleasing flavors.
According to Vandenbroucke, “Disposable e-cigarettes is a new product simply designed to attract new consumers,” yet many of these products contain addictive nicotine. 12 percent of Belgian teenagers between the ages of 11 and 18 reported vaping in the previous month, according to a 2022 World Health Organization survey—a notable increase from 2018.
The prohibition addresses the environmental effects of disposable vapes in addition to health issues. Due of their plastic composition and non-rechargeable batteries, these single-use devices add to waste and pollution.
“[After the vape is finished,] the battery is still working. That’s what is terrible, is that you could recharge it, but you have no way of recharging it,” said Steven Pomeranc, proprietor of a Brussels vape store. He backed the prohibition, arguing that reusable vaping devices were a more environmentally friendly option, Euro News reports.
The EU's increasing attempts to regulate vaping goods are in line with Belgium's action. Germany and France have also been considering outlawing disposable e-cigarettes while the UK intends to do the same by the middle of 2024.
Minister Vandenbroucke has further urged the European Commission to revise its tobacco laws in order to address these problems on a European Union level.
Although the prohibition could change how people buy, it is not anticipated to have a significant financial effect on the vaping sector. Since reusable alternatives are more affordable and environmentally unremarkable, retailers expect to see a shift toward them.
