Belgium Postpones Smoking Lounges Ban Beyond January 2027

The ban on smoking on the terrace has also been postponed to an indefinite date due to modifications requested by the Council of State.

The ban on smoking on outdoor terraces and the closure of designated smoking rooms in Belgium—originally scheduled for January 1, 2027—have been postponed.

This information was reported by the Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws and confirmed to the newspaper by the office of Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke.

The delay follows a review of the draft legislation by Belgium’s Council of State, which raised concerns—the specific nature of which has not been disclosed. “The Council of State has asked us to amend certain provisions, and we are currently working on that,” the Minister’s office stated, as quoted by the Dutch-language newspaper.

No new effective date has been announced, and the precise nature of the planned amendments remains unknown.

In line with the federal government’s coalition agreement, the Council of Ministers approved a preliminary draft bill in September 2025 to amend the Law of December 22, 2009, regarding non-smoking areas. The draft primarily focused on two measures: a ban on smoking and vaping on outdoor terraces, and the prohibition of designated smoking rooms in establishments accessible to the public.

Associations representing the hospitality sector (hotels, restaurants, and cafés) have strongly opposed this tightening of the law. Consequently, this indefinite reprieve has been welcomed by industry professionals. “Whether it’s a week, a month, or a year gained, we’ll take it,” said Matthieu Léonard, president of the Brussels Hospitality Federation (Fédération Horeca Bruxelles), as quoted by La Libre Belgique. “In any case, it highlights issues with the preparation required to submit the bill for a parliamentary vote.”

A “call to order” for the Minister of Health

“The negative opinion issued by the Council of State serves as a very clear signal that cannot be ignored,” says Ann-Pascale Mommerency, president of the Federation of Cigar Manufacturers of Belgium and Luxembourg (Fécibel). “This is not the first time that judicial bodies have called Minister Vandenbroucke to order regarding his highly restrictive legislative proposals—some of the strictest in the world.”

“Naturally, like Horeca Vlaanderen and the hospitality sector as a whole, we sincerely hope that the Minister will come to his senses and abandon this proposed smoking ban on terraces once and for all,” she adds. “We firmly believe that hospitality venues should retain the freedom to decide whether or not smoking is permitted on their premises—whether in properly equipped indoor lounges or on their terraces. We have always advocated for good manners, courtesy, and mutual respect. We also hope that our many cigar clubs will be able to continue holding their meetings in the hospitality venues they value so highly. Introducing a specific label could be a potential solution to help identify establishments that wish to welcome cigar enthusiasts.”

Contacted by L’Amateur de Cigare, the Council of State confirmed that it issued its opinion on October 17, 2025, under reference number 78.230/3. Its content remains confidential for the time being, in accordance with Belgian law. It will only be made public when the draft bill is submitted to the Chamber of Representatives—or, should it never be submitted, upon the conclusion of the parliamentary term in 2029.

As of June 1, 2026, Belgium has mandated plain packaging for cigars. Furthermore, since April 1, 2025, all tobacco products have been subject to a display ban (a prohibition on keeping such products in the sight of customers).