Belgian authorities have confirmed that supermarkets will once again be permitted to sell cigarettes and vapes starting January 1, 2027. This major reversal of the government’s anti-smoking policy follows a Constitutional Court ruling that deemed the previous ban discriminatory, forcing a tense political compromise.
Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke originally championed the ban, which took effect in April 2025. It prohibited retail spaces larger than 400 square meters from selling tobacco products, aiming to reduce retail availability and curb impulse buying.
However, after legal challenges from industry groups, including Buurtsuper.be and Philip Morris Benelux, the Constitutional Court struck down the measure. The court found the distinction between large and small retailers legally unjustifiable, leaving the federal government with no choice but to abandon the restriction.
While supermarkets can resume sales in 2027, they will not return to pre-2025 visibility. A strict display ban remains in effect. All tobacco and vaping products must be concealed in closed cabinets or behind curtains to prevent impulse purchases, especially among youth. Industry insiders note that the required infrastructure investments might deter some supermarkets from reintroducing the products.
StagBar Vape 6in1 180K Puffs Disposable
The Stagbar 6-in-1 featuring a unique 6-flavor system and six independent mesh coils, this device allows users to switch between six distinct tastes in one sleek unit, delivering an unprecedented 180,000 puffs.
The return of supermarket sales is heavily tied to a broader political compromise regarding e-cigarettes. To secure agreement from the MR political party, Minister Vandenbroucke conceded on the supermarket ban in exchange for strict new vaping regulations.
As a result of this deal, a comprehensive ban on vape flavors has been approved. By September 2028, only “tobacco” and “neutral” flavored e-cigarettes will be legally permitted in Belgium, a move designed to make the products less attractive to minors.
Specialist tobacconists have strongly condemned the policy reversal. Retail federations describe the decision as “political haggling,” arguing it undermines public health by making combustible cigarettes widely accessible in supermarkets while simultaneously restricting less harmful vaping alternatives.
Minister Vandenbroucke acknowledged the setback to his public health strategy but maintained that the government must comply with the rule of law following the court’s decision.
