Belgium Banning Smoking at Terraces, Cigar Lounges & More

[JohnS]

Belgium Banning Smoking at Terraces, Cigar Lounges & More

September 17, 2025 - Charlie Minato

Effective Jan. 1, 2027, smoking is set to be banned in and around terraces as well as smoking rooms, cigar lounges, hookah bars and more places in Belgium.

The move was announced last week by Frank Vandenbroucke, Belgium’s health minister, who claims that it was originally targeted to go into effect in 2026 but was pushed back to allow businesses more time to comply. The largest change will be the smoking ban at terraces, which also includes smoking within 10 meters of a terrace. Those caught violating the rule by lighting up at a terrace could be fined and businesses that do things to encourage smoking—such as having ashtrays out—could also be fined.

Smoking in most dedicated indoor smoking rooms, including cigar lounges, will be outlawed as part of the move. In a weird twist of fate, smoking will continue to be allowed in smoking rooms in prison.

“The Belgian Government has once again decided to sacrifice the thousands of jobs involved in the specialised cigar sector to favour the political personal crusade of its junior coalition partner against cigarettes. If it had to be said again: all available public evidence confirms that cigars are neither consumed by young people nor smoking initiation products,” said Paul Varakas, director general of the European Cigar Manufacturers’ Association, in a statement. “Decision-making in Belgium has now reached one of its lowest points where individuals imprisoned for committing crimes would have more smoking rights than adults simply wanting to occasionally consume cigars. The text will now be discussed in Parliament where we hope to see the cigar community raise its voices to defend the right to smoke cigars in a considerate manner”.

This is the latest in a series of moves from Vandenbroucke that would cement Belgium’s status as one of the least-cigar friendly countries. Earlier this year, he announced stricter packaging rules for tobacco products.

Source: https://halfwheel.com/belgium-banning-smoking-at-terraces-cigar-lounges-more/454651/

[JohnS]

Belgian Smoking Ban

 September 17, 2025 - Press Release 

Smoking and vaping on terraces in Belgium will be banned as of 1 January 1 2027. Federal Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke announced this last week after approval by the Council of Ministers. The text will soon be discussed by Parliament.

Smoking will also be banned within a 10-meter radius of terraces.

The ban contained in the government’s draft also applies to smoking rooms and hookah bars. The smoking ban would apply to every closed location (except prisons and healing centers).

The manager of a bar or restaurant will be required to post clear signage and enforce this ban. They will be held liable for insufficient signage, (implied) authorisation to smoke, or the provision of items that may encourage smoking (ashtrays, etc.). Smokers who violate the ban may also be fined.\

However, during temporary events such as festivals, fairs, flea markets, or Christmas markets, the municipality may temporarily adapt the measures (and lift the ban on smoking and vaping), as enforcement may prove difficult.

ECMA statement:

“The Belgian Government has once again decided to sacrifice the thousands of jobs involved in the specialised cigar sector to favour the political personal crusade of its junior coalition partner against cigarettes. If it had to be said again: all available public evidence confirms that cigars are neither consumed by young people nor smoking initiation products.

Decision-making in Belgium has now reached one of its lowest points where individuals imprisoned for committing crimes would have more smoking rights than adults simply wanting to occasionally consume cigars.

The text will now be discussed in Parliament where we hope to see the cigar community raise its voices to defend the right to smoke cigars in a considerate manner”.

Source: https://www.cigarjournal.com/belgian-smoking-ban/

[Lucas Buck]

What an absolute abomination. I’ll be visiting next year and will smoke a few there in protest before it would land me in hot water. 

[Ford2112]

[Odessa]

It's not the terrorism that will destroy the world, but f*****g political correctness.