In April, a new tobacco law went into effect in Belgium, banning food stores larger than 400 square meters from selling tobacco products and prohibiting smaller stores from storing products within customers’ sight.
Out of the 623 shops that were inspected for display ban compliance, 161 were in violation. Specialized stores like vape shops and cigar stores showed a 39% noncompliance rate.
Those in violation could face imprisonment ranging from a month to a year and fines ranging from €2,000 ($2,293.83) to €800,000.
“The shopkeepers who were not compliant have not yet been find,” said Annelies Wynant, Federal Public Health Service spokesperson. “But this is changing. Shops inspected that have made no effort to comply with the display ban will now immediately receive a report and face fines. Large food shops over 400 square meters that continue selling tobacco will also receive an immediate report.
