From 1 January, Belgium will become the first country in the European Union to implement a ban on single-use vapes, a step aimed at protecting public health, especially among young people.
Disposable vapes, often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco products, have grown in popularity, especially among younger users.
With colorful packaging, sweet flavors, and the absence of the unpleasant smell of tobacco, these devices have proven to be especially appealing to young people.
Young people
However, experts warn that while vapes may seem less harmful, they still contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. They argue that chronic nicotine use is particularly damaging to the adolescent brain and may increase the likelihood of experimenting with other substances.
Nora Melard, spokesperson for the Alliance for a Smoke Free Society in Belgium, expressed concern over the growing trend.
"Young people start using vapes without always knowing their nicotine content, and nicotine is addictive," she said. "We have young people saying they wake up at night to take a puff. It’s very worrying."
Belgium has acted swiftly to address the risks posed by disposable e-cigarettes, which have been available for over five years.
In 2021, the Belgian government submitted a proposal to the European Commission to ban single-use vapes. In March 2024, the EU gave its approval, allowing Belgium to implement the ban.
A similar ban has also been approved in France, which will make it illegal to produce, sell, or distribute single-use vapes, with fines of up to 100,000 euros.
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A 2023 EU study found that while rechargeable vapes are more commonly used, single-use vapes remain particularly popular among people aged 15 to 24. Their affordability and ease of use, combined with widespread social media marketing, make them even more enticing to young buyers.
At only five or six euros, a disposable vape costs about half as much as a pack of cigarettes, and some models can deliver up to 9,000 puffs - equivalent to over 300 cigarettes.
‘Ecological disaster’
Environmental concerns also weigh into the debate. Belgium has highlighted the "ecological disaster" caused by disposable vapes.
With their plastic bodies and lithium batteries, these products are typically discarded within just a few days of purchase, contributing to significant waste. In contrast, rechargeable vapes can last for months.
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The upcoming ban on single-use vapes is a significant part of Belgium’s broader public health strategy and aligns with the European Union's goal of creating a tobacco-free generation by 2040.
The EU aims to reduce its smoking population from the current 25 percent to under 5 percent across its 27 member states.
(with AFP)
