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21% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 2.0 million current smokers in Belgium

23.3% of men are current smokers but only 17.6% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for Belgium
Cigarettes E-cigarettes Snus Pouches HTP NRT
Country profile
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2024-07-23

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.

18,736

Deaths

18736 people in Belgium die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.

18.7 million €

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

Adult using HTP prevalence is 1%. The prevalence of daily using HTP among adults is 0.2%. 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

Daily using snus prevalence is at 2%. The sale of Snus is banned. Use of Snus is permitted by law in Belgium.

Pouches

in Belgium

Daily using pouches prevalence is at 2%. Pouches are legal to market.

The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.