ISLAMABAD: Belgium will in January become the first European Union nation to ban sales of disposable vapes because of concerns about their use among children and the environmental damage they can cause.
Reuters news agency reported that the move is part of an anti-tobacco drive in the Western European nation, where government data shows most young smokers start the habit with electronic cigarettes (vapes), rather than regular tobacco cigarettes.
E-cigarettes Attract new generation
Reuters news agency cited Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke as saying, “Disposable e-cigarettes are designed to attract young people, to appeal to new users who maybe never smoked.”
“E-cigarettes are partly attracting a new generation of smokers,” he added.
Supporters claim vapes can help people to give up smoking regular cigarettes, but health officials are concerned that their colourful designs and fruity flavours attract children.
It is illegal in Belgium to sell vapes to anyone under the age of 18.
—Photo by Rasid Necati Aslim/ AFP
In a 2022 World Health Organization survey of 20,000 Belgian 11 to 18 year olds, 12% said they had used a vape in the last 30 days – more than double the amount in 2018.
Germany, France want to legislate laws
Germany and France are working on laws to ban single-use vapes. Britain, no longer an EU member, will ban their sale in June.
Belgium hopes its ban will also reduce the environmental impact of discarded single-use vapes that contain plastics, chemicals and a non-rechargeable battery.
Steven Pomeranc, who owns an e-cigarette shop in Brussels, said he supported the ban and that most customers did not recycle their batteries.
“I think it’s a good thing for customers to use reusable models,” he said.
Anti-smoking rules in EU
Earlier, AFP reported that EU countries agreed on a push for stricter anti-smoking rules, backing bans on smoking and vaping in many outdoor areas including playgrounds and cafe patios.
A recommendation inviting member states to crack down on second-hand smoke and vapour was adopted by health ministers from the bloc’s 27 nations meeting in Brussels.
The European Parliament also voted against a similar text. The document approved calls on EU countries to extend restrictions in place for cigarettes to cover “emerging products”, such as heated tobacco devices and electronic cigarettes that are increasingly popular with young people.
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Governments should “provide effective protection” from aerosols emitted by these in indoor environments such as offices and public buildings.
Following an initial proposal put forward by the European Commission in September, the text says such protection should also be granted in some outdoor areas.
This in practice entails that all smoking should be banned in locations including swimming pools, beaches, zoos, rooftop bars and restaurant terraces.
Violation of individual freedom
The push comes as the EU is aiming to decrease its smoking population from around 25 percent now to less than five percent of the total by 2040, as part of its “Beating Cancer Plan”.
Tobacco use is estimated to kill over eight million people globally each year, including about 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke, World Health Organization (WHO) statistics show.
Emissions from electronic cigarettes also typically contain nicotine and other toxic substances that are harmful including to second-hand smokers, the WHO said.
