The University of Antwerp has introduced a complete smoking ban on all its campuses. New legislation that came into force on 1 January 2025 bans smoking within a radius of 10 metres of the entrance to all school, college and university buildings. Antwerp University’s ban goes a step further as it also applies to all outdoor areas on campus and the university’s car parks too.
Total smoking ban at Antwerp University includes outdoor areas on campus and university car parks
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At the start of the new academic year, the University of Antwerp will introduce a complete smoking ban on all its campuses. Cigarettes and vaping will be banned everywhere on campus. The university’s Rector Herwig Leirs told VRT News that “You won't even find a screened-off smoking booth within the university grounds anymore”.
“There are already universities abroad that are completely smoke-free, but we are the first in Flanders. By doing this we are contributing to a healthy environment and actively working towards a smoke-free generation”, Rector Liers said.
Ashtrays removed
Last summer, the university began putting up signs for the smoking ban. Ashtrays were removed and the ban is now clearly indicated on campus maps.
Signs in both Dutch and English were installed at the city campus and markings were placed at entrances.