Belgium will ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes from January 1 due to their harmful effects on human health and the environment.
Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke stated that cheap e-cigarettes have become a "health threat" as they encourage youth to start smoking and lead to nicotine addiction.
He also highlighted the environmental damage caused by the plastic and batteries in disposable e-cigarettes, which produce hazardous waste chemicals.
Vandenbroucke emphasized, "E-cigarettes typically contain nicotine, which leads to addiction. Nicotine is bad for your health; these are the facts." After this ban, Belgium will be the first EU country to prohibit the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, also known as vapes.
