Belgium implemented their current health warnings policy starting April 2007, as a result of the European Commission labelling directive. Including the border, health warnings cover 48% of the front and 63% of the back of cigarette packages, which is larger than the EU requirements of 35% front and 50% back because Belgium is a trilingual country (German, French, Flemish). Overall, 56% of the package space is appropriated to health warnings. Since 2011, three different sets of 14 warnings have been rotated every 12 months.
Belgium prohibits the terms “light” and “mild” from appearing on packages.
As well, Belgium requires tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide emission numbers to appear on the side of packages. These emission numbers are generated using the ISO machine smoking method.
Plain packaging is under formal consideration in Belgium. On April 9, 2016, the Public Health Minister announced that Belgium will have plain packaging by 2019.
Legislation and Regulations
Belgium’s Legislation Library
Health Warning Reports, Publications & Presentations
Belgium’s Health Warning Document Library
Health Warnings
2007 to Present**
** The images contained in this gallery are subject to Belgian copyright laws. Any duplication, reproduction, or use without the express consent of said party is prohibited. Countries should be contacted individually for usage of images.
Belgium
