The prevalence of current smokers in the general population in Belgium was 7% lower (at 19%) in 2017 than it was in 2006 (26%). Prevalence has fluctuated during this period but the trend has been decreasing steadily since 2009. These data come from the Eurobarometer surveys, the most recent of which was carried out in 2017. In the most recent survey a total of 27,901 respondents from different social and demographic groups were interviewed face-to-face at home, in their mother tongue, across all 28 of the EU countries. The sample for each country is representative, however the sample sizes are relatively small (e.g. most countries had just over 1000, participants but for Italy, Malta and Lithuania the sample was around 500). Nevertheless, the Eurobarometer surveys are useful as they have estimates for smoking prevalence collected over a number of years which can show trends, as described here.

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 >>.

There are no comments specific to snus in Belgium in the database.

There are no comments specific to heated tobacco products in Belgium in the database.

There are no comments specific to nicotine replacement therapy in Belgium in the database.