Retailers consider gradual tobacco phase-out for youth

Trade federation Comeos is calling for a gradual ban on the sale of tobacco products to young people, following a model recently introduced in the United Kingdom. Under the proposal, anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 would never again be allowed to legally buy tobacco products, De Standaard and Le Soir reported on Thursday.

The idea behind the system is that tobacco consumption would gradually disappear as older generations of smokers age. Because the cut-off date is fixed, someone who is too young to buy tobacco in 2026 would remain prohibited from purchasing it later in life. Comeos said the proposal should also apply to vapes.

Belgium calls for tougher EU rules on vaping

Belgium’s health minister has urged the European Union to take stronger action on vaping, warning of growing health risks.

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The federation’s intervention comes after Belgium’s Constitutional Court struck down the current ban on tobacco sales in supermarkets larger than 400 square metres, ruling that the distinction between large and small shops was discriminatory. The federal government has until the end of the year to draft new legislation.

Federal Health minister and deputy prime minister Frank Vandenbroucke of Vooruit is advocating a broader prohibition on tobacco sales in all food shops, regardless of size. Under his proposal, tobacco products would still be permitted in newsagents, provided they comply with existing restrictions on advertising and product displays.

^{​© PHOTO KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP}

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