N-VA proposal that prohibits minors from buying tobacco approved

“The earlier the age at which young people start smoking, the greater the chance that they will develop an addiction.” The N-VA responds with satisfaction to the approval in the Chamber of a bill that increases the age limit at which tobacco products can be purchased from 16 to 18. “It’s a good thing that protects the health of our young people better,” the N-VA emphasises.

Increasing the age limit

Belgium is one of the few countries in which minors can still purchase tobacco. Apart from Belgium, in the European Union the possibility of purchasing tobacco products from the age of 16 only still exists in a few Austrian federal states. For this reason, the N-VA submitted a bill to increase this age limit from 16 to 18 in Belgium as well. “The earlier the age at which young people start smoking, the greater the chance that they will develop an addiction,” says the N-VA.

Protecting young people better

“Today, young people can still buy cigarettes far too easily. From the latest VAD student questionnaires, it is apparent that no fewer than 8 in 10 young people between the age of 16 and 18 say that they can get their hands on tobacco very easily. For young people under the age of 16, this number is lower, 4 in 10. Just like the Belgian Superior Health Council, we are therefore proposing an increase in this age limit. In this way, we can protect the health of our young people better and avoid addiction,” the N-VA explains.