Belgium has stepped up its battle against smoking in recent years. Its latest move aims to protect younger people by banning smoking in outdoor spaces often frequented by children.
A series of anti-smoking strategies have been implemented under the current government, from significant price hikes by increasing the excise taxes on tobacco products, and the reduction of tobacco sales points to banning smoking and vaping on outdoor platforms at train stations throughout Belgium, making the entire railway area smoke-free.
Now, a smoking ban in outdoor public spaces frequented by children, including theme parks, zoos, petting farms, playgrounds as well as sports grounds and the associated spectator areas has been added to the series of measures.
The draft law for the ban, which was put forward by Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) and approved by the Chamber of Representatives on Thursday, will come into effect next year under a new Belgian law. Despite abstentions from far-right party Vlaams Belang, the legislation received unanimous support from the representatives.
Further bans will apply at the entrances and exits of healthcare, childcare and educational institutions and public libraries. The aim is to protect those entering or leaving from exposure to second-hand smoke and to help de-normalise smoking.
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A 10-metre perimeter will be put in place where the ban applies, and smoke-free zones will be clearly signposted at the entrances of the institutions.
Despite the many measures being taken, however, around one in four adults in Belgium still smoke. But the government is pushing forward with additional measures. It still intends to ban the sale of cigarettes in bars, cafés and festivals from 2025 and has an agreement to halt the sale of tobacco to food shops of more than 400 m2 by 2028.
