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Belgium votes for European restriction on smoking on terraces

by AI | 05.Dec 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The European member states want to develop more smoke-free zones. Belgium also wants better protection against smoke in the outdoor areas of catering establishments.

Belgium is one of the member states that voted for the establishment of smoke-free terraces. - Photo: María José López / Europa Press

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Brussels – The European member states, including Belgium, voted on Tuesday for recommendations to develop smoke-free zones in the European Union. An expansion of protection against smoking to outdoor areas of restaurants and cafes is foreseen.

The recommendations are not binding as the fight against smoking falls under the authority of the member states. But the vote is an indication of the policy that the 27 member states could develop in the future.

The European Commission submitted this proposal to further advance the ban on smoking, while 24 percent of Europeans smoke. The text received broad support among the member states, with only Germany and Greece abstaining.

By also including the terraces of hospitality establishments, the recommendations go beyond the measures that come into effect in Belgium on January 1. Then it will be prohibited to display tobacco products in stores and smoke-free zones will be expanded around schools and hospitals, but not on terraces.

Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke says he is pleased that new recommendations have been approved at the European level. The recommendation regarding terraces proposes to offer protection against exposure to tobacco and emerging products, without necessarily calling for a total ban, he adds.

03/12/2024

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