The introduction of the smoking ban on outdoor terraces in the hospitality industry is being postponed, the office of Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Flemish socialist Vooruit) has confirmed. The Council of State, which vets Belgian laws before they come into force, has raised several issues. As a result, the planned start date of 1 January 2027 will not be met.
“The Council of State has asked us to amend certain measures, and we are currently working on this,” the statement from the health minister’s office reads. According to Vandenbroucke’s office, the government also wishes to give the hospitality sector sufficient time afterwards to prepare for the new rules, including the putting up of the necessary signage.
Consequently, the planned start date is being postponed. It is not yet clear when the long-awaited smoking ban will actually come into force. This depends on how quickly the amended measures are passed by parliament.
Stricter anti-tobacco policy
In September 2025, the federal government announced that smoking and vaping on and around hospitality terraces would be banned from 1 January 2027. The measure forms part of a broader tightening of Belgium’s anti-tobacco policy.
There will also be a ban on public smoking rooms, including those in hospitality venues and airports. These measures are intended to help achieve a smoke-free generation by 2040.
When presenting the plans, Minister Vandenbroucke stated that the number of smokers is falling, but that tobacco use still has a significant impact on health. According to recent figures, 12.8 per cent of Belgians smoke every day.
Hospitality federation Horeca Vlaanderen is not happy with the forthcoming ban. The federation fears it will have a negative impact on the sector.