- Belgium postponed its outdoor terrace smoking ban.
- The measure was originally set for 1 January 2027.
- The Council of State raised legal objections to the draft text.
- No new timetable has been set.
- The ban would cover hotels, restaurants, cafés and shisha bars.
Belgium has postponed its planned ban on smoking at restaurant and café terraces. The measure originally set for 1 January 2027 was delayed following advice from the Council of State. The government noted extra time will allow hospitality venues to adjust to the new rules. No new timetable has been set.
The Council of State raised legal objections to the draft text forcing the government to revise the legislation. Public Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke’s office confirmed the delay. The timeline will depend on how quickly the amended bill passes through the Belgian parliament. The hospitality federation Horeca Vlaanderen opposed the policy due to fears of negative economic impacts.
Once implemented the regulations will forbid all smoking and vaping on outdoor terraces of hotels, restaurants, cafés and shisha bars. Public smoking rooms will be dismantled including those in airports, bars and cigar clubs. Business owners will face fines if they fail to display visible no smoking signage or provide ashtrays. The broader goal is a smoke-free generation by 2040.
