On Tuesday, a new legislation was introduced in Belgium prohibiting the placement of cigarettes or any tobacco items on display shelves within stores.
Large stores like supermarkets, which exceed 400 square meters in size, are now completely barred from selling cigarettes as well.
These actions aim to reduce the prominence of cigarettes and other habit-forming items, with the intention of decreasing spontaneous buys, constituting a component of an overall strategy to eradicate tobacco consumption entirely.
Supervised by Belgium's Health Minister, Frank Vandenbroucke, the new policy initiative commenced on January 1st with a prohibition on single-use electronic cigarettes.
"OUR GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE A SMOKE-FREE GENERATION BY 2040," STATED VANDENBROUCHE, WHO DISCLAIMS THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING A COMPLETE CIGARETTE BAN.
"From now on, it is illegal to have cigarettes or vapes on display, that is visible, in a store. It is not a prohibition on buying this stuff. You can buy it, but you have to ask the vendor", he said.
Shops prepare to adjust
No specific guidance or material on how to handle tobacco products from now on has been provided to retailers. Each shop has had to find its own solution to the display ban, from handmade plastic curtains to sophisticated shelves that automatically light up when opened.
The frustration stems from the fact that they (the government) haven’t supplied us with anything," stated news and tobacco store proprietor Jenny Van Vaerenbergh. "They ought to have delivered the essential gear.
Malak Chatouany, a student from Brussels who also smokes, stated that merely concealing an item will not alter people's behaviors.
She stated, "The topic we're discussing is addiction, and individuals will not cease immediately just because it is no longer available for purchase in stores."
However, many see this policy as an instrument to stop young Belgians from starting to smoke initially.
"I think that it is a good measure because I would not like my child to start smoking, because quitting smoking is really difficult," said Emilie Fayt, another smoker.
The next phase of the plan, a ban on smoking in public terraces, is yet to be approved by Belgian legislators.
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