20.4% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 1.9 million current smokers in Belgium
23.3% of men are current smokers but only 17.6% of women
Smoking in Belgium
The overall smoking prevalence in Belgium has decreased a small amount since 2006. 25% of the adult population in Belgium are current smokers, down from 26% in 2006. This means there are now approximately 2.4 million smokers in the country. 26.9% of men smoke and for women the figure is 23.1%.
The most recent data show there were 18,736 annual deaths from tobacco-smoking related diseases (approximately 5,500 women and 13,200 men). The annual percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking was 19.56% (women: 9.6%; and men: 23.7%).
Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) are legal in Belgium and there are 305,200 vapers in the country, giving an adult vaping prevalence of 3.16%. There is a requirement to ensure vape packaging contains a health warning, and they can only be sold to those 18 and older. Vaping devices can be purchased without a prescription but there are legal restrictions on their use in public places.
There is no specific law on heated tobacco products and the situation is quite complicated for snus. While it is illegal to import snus for trade or buy the product online, it is possible to import it for personal use.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can be marketed and it is available to buy in pharmacies without a prescription. The NRT market in Belgium is worth €18.7 million.
For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.
Deaths
18736 people in Belgium die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.
Market size of NRT.
Estimated NRT market size is 18.7 million €.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Belgium
Belgium abides by the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) (2014). While e-cigarettes are legal in Belgium, the use of them is prohibited in enclosed public places and on public transportation by the Tobacco Control Law. The royal decree of 28th October 2016, transposing the EU TPD into Belgian law, came into force on 17th January 2017. It includes retail restrictions, including the ban on online sales. Health warnings on packaging are required in Dutch, French & German. Internet sales and e-cigarette advertising are banned. Vaping is banned wherever smoking is banned, with possible fines ranging from €208 to €8,000 . It is also prohibited to vape in an e-cigarette shop. A new law banning vaping (and smoking) in vehicles carrying children is expected. Read more >>.
Heated Tobacco Products
in Belgium
HTP is allowed. You can't advertise HTP in Belgium.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Belgium
Estimated NRT market size is 18.7 million €. In Belgium it is legal to purchase nicotine without using NRT prescription. Advertising of NRT is allowed. NRT are available in Pharmacy.
Snus
in Belgium
The sale of Snus is banned. Snus is legal to use.