Whether smoking electronic or traditional cigarettes, smoking will become significantly more expensive starting next year as part of a series of measures to lead to a "smoke-free generation".
In recent years, Belgium has stepped up its efforts to reduce the number of smokers. It has introduced measures such as a smoking ban in all train stations and a federal plan against tobacco consumption, with a focus on young people (smoke-free generation).
As part of this nationwide plan to combat smoking, the government is also looking to outlaw smoking in open-air public spaces from 2025.
In the latest phase of De Croo's 'Tobacco Plan', smoking will become considerably more expensive.
How will prices change?
When the De Croo government came to power in October 2020, a packet of 20 cigarettes could cost as little as €6.80. This was increased to €7.50 in 2021 before it went up to an average of €8.
However, from January 2024, smokers will have to fork out €2 more (plus or minus 25%) for such a packet of cigarettes. This is a significant step, as historically Belgium has kept the cost of smoking low compared to other European countries.
The increase in excise duty will be €52 per thousand cigarettes and €42.6 per kilo of smoking tobacco.
Vaping has become increasingly popular in Belgium, especially among younger people, Therefore, an excise duty of €0.15 per ml will be levied on vaping liquids for electronic cigarettes, both with or without nicotine. This corresponds to an increase of €1.5 for a 10 ml bottle and €16.5 for a 100 ml bottle.
Slow decline
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), raising the price of tobacco is one of the six best measures to combat smoking.
The number of regular smokers in Belgium dropped for two years in a row. In 2022, 24% of Belgians reported smoking daily or occasionally last year, compared to 29% in 2020 and 27% in 2021.
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However, this figure remains slightly higher than that recorded in 2019 (23%). Meanwhile, a quarter of Belgian smokers don't want to quit the habit. Smoking remains the main preventable cause of cancer in Belgium. Every day, almost 40 Belgians die from smoking, amounting to 14,000 people a year, while some 300,000 Belgians suffer from tobacco-related illnesses.
Health Institute Sciensano noted that, as projections show that a continuation of the current evolution will not see the proportion of smokers (especially among men) drop below 10% any time soon, more initiatives are needed.
