What are the Belgian vaping laws?
Vaping laws can be separated into two categories: rules for vapers, and rules for vaping manufacturers and retailers. The laws pertaining to e-cigarette production are clear and highly controlled. In stark comparison, the laws surrounding where you are allowed to vape in public in Belgium are everchanging and likely will continue to do so.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Belgium’s vaping laws.
What are the new e-cigarette regulations you should know about?
Since first introduced in 2016, the laws around the manufacture, sale and use of e-cigarettes have been regularly updated to maintain the highest safety standards. Some of the most important elements of the legislation for vapers to be aware of include:
1. You must be 18 or over to buy vaping products. At Vuse, we only sell our products to adult consumers over the age of 18.
2. In terms of manufacturing, all devices and products have to be compliant with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
3. The Belgian Government hasn't created any blanket legislation for the social use of vaping, leading to many public spaces choosing independently whether they regard e-cigarette use as a form of smoking.
It’s important to note that while menthol cigarettes were banned in May 2020, this rule doesn’t apply to e-cigarettes. You can still purchase menthol e-liquids and cartridges.
You can get even more in-depth information about the Belgian e-cigarette laws below.
Where can you vape?
The places you’re allowed to vape follow a lot of the same rules as traditional smoking, although they don’t share the same legislation.
Vaping indoors
In December 2009, it became illegal to smoke in all public enclosed or substantially enclosed areas and workplaces. Many private properties (including bars, pubs and restaurants) commonly choose to include vaping in their “no smoking” policies.
It is not illegal to vape inside your house. However, if you’re renting, it’s up to the property owner to decide if they allow vaping in their property.
Vaping at work
While many employers include vaping in their non-smoking policies, some companies have begun providing designated areas for vaping in the workplace.
Vaping while driving
Vaping in your car is not illegal, however driving without due care and attention is an offence which can result in large fines or receiving penalty points on your driving licence. It’s also recommended by health experts to not vape in your car if you have young children or adolescents as passengers.
Where are you prohibited from vaping?
While public vaping is generally permitted, here are some examples of locations that commonly do not permit vaping on their premises.
On a plane or airport
Air travel vehicles and locations are very strict environments for safety reasons. Vaping is just one of many personal activities that aren’t permitted.
On public transport
Vaping is commonly prohibited on mass transit due to the concerns of vapour dispersal in tightly enclosed public spaces.
Private members clubs
Many clubs with private membership prohibit vaping out of consideration of their other members. However, it is worth checking the policy in your preferred club.
Museums and galleries
Art galleries cultivate highly controlled environments to ensure the care and longevity of their works. Conservators have also famously banned flash photography to preserve their older art pieces.
What are the vaping product restrictions?
The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 came into effect on the 20th May 2016. These cover every aspect of e-cigarette retailing, from the high manufacturing standards of vaping products to the advertising of e-cigarettes.
These regulations have been introduced in order to ensure safety and quality of e-cigarettes, providing vapers with greater certainty regarding the products that they buy.
Vaping product size
The maximum capacity for the tank in your vaping device should not exceed 2 ml (this includes disposable electronic cigarettes, and single use cartridges).
Every e-Liquid refill bottle which contains nicotine is restricted to a maximum of 10 ml per bottle.
Vaping product strengths
E-Liquid comes on a variety of nicotine strengths with the lowest dosage starting at 3mg. The highest nicotine strength available for Vuse is 18 mg.
Vaping manufacturing process
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are the independent body that monitors the safety and quality of vaping products. As a responsible producer, Vuse submits formulation/toxicology and emissions data for each new product we develop to the MHRA. Without this notification, we cannot sell our products. This ensures safety for all our products from our e-Liquids to our e-cigarette devices.
As long as you are over 18 and making sure that your vape products are fully compliant, it’s fairly easy to navigate the Belgian e-cigarette laws. You’ll just need to check with the places you frequently visit whether or not they consider vaping part of their smoking policies. If you’d like to learn more about starting your vaping journey, read our guide for beginner vapers.
