Smoking ban on terraces will not take effect on January 1, 2027: postponement after comments from the Council of State

The implementation of the smoking ban on terraces has been postponed due to additional comments from the Council of State. The original start date of January 1, 2027, will not be met as the government needs to adjust certain measures and allow the hospitality sector time to prepare. The exact new date for the ban is unclear and depends on parliamentary approval of the changes. This ban is part of a broader tightening of Belgium's anti-tobacco policy, which includes prohibiting smoking and vaping in public areas and aims for a smoke-free generation by 2040. The hospitality sector expresses concerns about the potential negative impact of the ban.