"It is an unhealthy and dangerous product that must be eliminated from the world." That is the reaction of Belgian health minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Flemish socialist Vooruit) to the report on vapes and children and adolescents by VRT’s Pano programme. Disposable vapes were banned in Belgium at the beginning of this year but are still very popular among young people. Moreover, it turns out that a lot of vapes may contain dangerous drugs. ‘It is dreadful that nicotine and even drugs are now paired with apple and strawberry flavours.’
Health minister Vandenbroucke wants to eliminate vapes: "Criminal industry making new generation of children addicted to nicotine"
Colin Clapson
Published:
Pano's report shows that vapes are becoming increasingly popular among young people. Besides regular vapes, cannabis vapes are now doing the rounds. These are vapes containing THC liquid, the most active substance in cannabis. But a lot of these vapes do not contain THC, but spice. This is a form of synthetic imitation cannabis that is supposed to mimic the effects of THC or natural cannabis. But unlike natural cannabis, spice is much more potent and addictive.
‘This is a criminal industry, and those vapes need to be taken out of circulation,’ health minister Frank Vandenbroucke says. ‘This criminal industry is looking for methods to get a new generation of children and young people addicted.’
It is not yet clear to what extent spice vapes are being distributed in Belgium. ‘But we need to consult with the police and the minister of the interior to map this out,’ Mr Vandenbroucke said.
‘It is dreadful that nicotine and now drugs are accompanied with apple and strawberry flavours and I don’t know what else,’ the minister said.
Need for more European cooperation
Besides spice vapes, Pano's report also showed that a lot of disposable vapes are still circulating in secondary schools. However, these vapes were banned at the beginning of this year.
‘All the products discussed in the Pano report are banned,’ health minister Frank Vandenbroucke says. 'Smart vapes you can play games on, disposable vapes, vapes with all kinds of frills.... But unfortunately they are still allowed in other countries, and that is our problem.'
The online sale of vapes has also been banned in Belgium since 2016. But because other European Union countries still allow online sales, Mr Vandenbroucke says it is very difficult to enforce that ban. ‘The problem is not Belgian legislation, but the lack of European legislation and European cooperation.’
Illegal disposable vapes are still sold in abundance, even though they are banned. Nevertheless, Mr Vandenbroucke is still in favour of the ban. 'It is an unhealthy and dangerous product and vapes need to be eliminated from this world'.
Ban on flavours too?
What has not yet been banned are flavours in vapes. In 2021, Flemish Christian democrat CD&V submitted a bill to ban these, but today vapes with flavours of strawberry, coca cola and cheesecake are still for sale.
In time, however, the intention is to ban flavours in vapes as well, says Mr Vandenbroucke. ‘But that is not so easy, because there is a discussion about whether you should then only offer tobacco flavours.’ According to Mr Vandenbroucke, in the past experts advised that this is not ideal for people who want to switch from classic cigarettes. ‘If you want people to switch from tobacco products, you should still have another flavour available, for example mint.’
In Denmark, only vapes with tobacco and mint flavours are allowed. Possibly that could also be an option in Belgium. ‘But more consideration is still needed,’ Mr Vandenbroucke responds.