Belgian Health Minister Labels Tobacco Industry ‘Criminal’ After Court Setback
Belgium’s Health Minister has labeled the tobacco industry a “criminal industry,” declaring that it “has no future.” This follows a ruling by the Belgian Constitutional Court, which deemed the government’s policy banning supermarkets from selling cigarettes and vapes to be discriminatory. The Minister acknowledged that the ruling has dealt a setback to his plans to reduce tobacco accessibility, but affirmed that the government will nonetheless proceed with its ban on flavored vapes.
Key Points at a Glance
- Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke described the tobacco industry as a “criminal industry,” stating that it “has no future.”
- In April 2025, Belgium banned supermarkets from selling cigarettes and vapes.
- The Belgian Constitutional Court ruled that this ban was discriminatory, as it treated large and small retailers differently.
- The Court mandated that the government either lift the ban or enact non-discriminatory legislation by the end of 2026.
- Vandenbroucke stated that Belgium would continue to push forward with stricter regulations regarding flavored vapes and nicotine products.
Belgian Health Minister Intensifies Anti-Tobacco Stance
May 7, 2026. According to original reports, Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke has characterized the tobacco industry as a “criminal” industry, asserting that the sector “has no future.”
Health Minister Defends Stricter Vape Regulations
Comments Made During VRT Program
Reports indicate that Vandenbroucke made these remarks during Ter Zake, a current affairs program broadcast by the public broadcaster VRT.
During the program, he defended the government’s move to implement stricter regulations on flavored vapes and nicotine products, while simultaneously acknowledging that a recent Constitutional Court ruling had dealt a blow to his broader plans to reduce the accessibility of tobacco products.
Belgium’s Supermarket Tobacco Ban Faces Legal Challenge
Ban Introduced in 2025
In April 2025, Belgium banned supermarkets from selling cigarettes and vapes, thereby restricting the sale of tobacco products to specialized shops and newsstands, with the aim of curbing impulse purchases.
Reports note that this measure was part of Belgium’s broader strategy for tobacco control.
Smoking Rates Decline While Youth Vaping Rises
Belgium’s smoking rate has declined from 24% in 2004 to its current level of 12.8%.
However, the usage rate of vapes among individuals aged 15 to 24 has risen to 17% — a trend Vandenbroucke described as a “complete policy failure.”
Belgian Constitutional Court Rules Ban Discriminatory
Court Orders Policy Revision
In April of this year, the Belgian Constitutional Court ruled that the ban on tobacco sales in supermarkets was discriminatory, as the policy permitted small shops to sell tobacco while prohibiting large retailers from doing so.
The Court ordered the government to either completely lift the ban by the end of 2026 or draft legislation that is non-discriminatory.
Government Reinstates Supermarket Sales
Rather than continuing to challenge the ruling, Vandenbroucke’s team opted to reinstate tobacco sales in supermarkets while simultaneously pressing ahead with a ban on flavored vapes.
This decision has sparked outrage among public health advocates and small retailers alike.
Minister Says Belgium Is “Back to Square One”
Speaking on the program Ter Zake, Vandenbroucke stated that Belgium had previously made tangible progress in tobacco control, including reducing the number of retail outlets, banning tobacco sales at festivals and events, and eliminating tobacco vending machines.
However, because the Court ruled that the government cannot treat large and small shops differently, the country is now effectively “back to square one.”
Vandenbroucke Calls Tobacco Industry “Criminal”
Criticism of the Tobacco Lobby
Vandenbroucke leveled harsh criticism at the tobacco lobby, branding it a “criminal industry” and declaring that it has “no place in our future.”
He accused manufacturers of deliberately using flavored vapes to addict a new generation to nicotine, describing these products as a “rapidly accelerating epidemic.”
Concerns Over Youth Targeting
Vandenbroucke asserted that flavored vapes are merely “the old tobacco industry repackaged.”
He argued that companies are targeting children with flavors such as strawberry, apple, and raspberry, leading them to believe that vapes are harmless.
He emphasized that this trend must be halted — both within Belgium and across Europe.
Belgium Supports EU-Wide Restrictions on Flavored Vapes
Reports indicate that Vandenbroucke’s remarks echo a growing movement across the European Union to ban flavored nicotine products, a movement in which Belgium is positioning itself as a key player.
However, critics argue that measures such as banning flavors while simultaneously allowing supermarkets to sell tobacco offer limited protection for young people, particularly given the thriving illicit market.
Illicit Vape Sales Remain a Major Concern
Black Market Sales Increase
Illicit tobacco sales are a widespread and serious issue in Belgium. A 2025 Dutch study revealed that, against the backdrop of a ban on flavored vapes in the Netherlands, 72% of young vapers purchase their products through the black market.
Teachers Raise Concerns About Student Vape Use
A teacher in Brussels noted that many students in the classroom can be seen using disposable vapes purchased from dubious websites.
He stated that while these products are cheaper and more easily accessible, their ingredients remain unknown — all while law-abiding retailers face penalties.
Minister Rejects Claims Linking Regulation to Illicit Trade
Vandenbroucke refuted the industry’s assertion that regulatory measures would drive illicit trade.
He argued that this is the tobacco lobby’s most frequently used argument: “Legalize it, because you cannot defeat the black market.”
