Belgium has officially postponed the planned ban on smoking and vaping on restaurant and café terraces. The measure, which was slated to take effect on January 1, 2027, as part of the federal tobacco control strategy, now faces an uncertain timeline while the government processes required legislative revisions.
The office of Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke confirmed that the Council of State requested amendments to the proposal. Consequently, the government cannot meet the original deadline. Officials stated that the new implementation date depends on how quickly the revised rules can move through the parliamentary approval process.
The postponement provides a reprieve for the hospitality industry, which mounted strong opposition to the rules. Horeca Vlaanderen, the federation representing the sector, welcomed the delay as a win for operators. Matthias De Caluwe, president of Horeca Vlaanderen, argued that restaurant managers should not be forced to act as enforcement officers for the state.
The federation contends that federal authorities should focus on fiscal priorities rather than imposing what they label as unfair administrative burdens on businesses. They advocate for a policy where operators are exempt from legal liability provided they remove ashtrays and display the required signage.
Despite this setback, the government maintains its broader objective of fostering a “smoke-free generation” by 2040. Recent data indicates that approximately 12.8 percent of Belgians smoke daily, a figure the health ministry continues to target through various restrictions, including bans on flavored e-cigarettes and smoking areas in airports.
While Belgium pauses its efforts, other European nations continue to pursue similar outdoor restrictions. France has moved to ban smoking on beaches and in public parks, while Spain is currently debating legislation that would extend restrictions to outdoor hospitality terraces.
