Display Ban
Source: www.health.belgium.be (FPS Public Health)
Here are the key points summarized for you: The display ban means that tobacco products can no longer be visible inside or outside retail locations, except upon a specific request from an adult customer. The retailer must ensure that only the requested products are shown and that all unsold products are stored away before completing the sale.
In practice:
- Various options to conceal tobacco products: in cabinets, drawers, closed holders under the counter, behind curtains or sliding doors, behind opaque glass, etc.
- The storage area must be neutral and plain (no brand names, images, etc.)
- Only store employees may access the storage area, which must be closed immediately after use (open only for the time needed to retrieve the requested products).
- If the storage area is visible to customers, it must be restocked and maintained outside business hours and should contain only tobacco products.
- Customers can still be informed about available brands and types through neutral price lists.
Products covered by the Display Ban:
- All tobacco products: Cigarettes, rolling tobacco, pipe tobacco, hookah tobacco, cigarillos & cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, and new tobacco-based products.
- Similar products: Herbal smoking products, electronic cigarettes, e-liquids (with and without nicotine).
- Accessoires are also included in the display ban: Cigarette tubes, rolling papers, filters, devices, hookahs, pipes, etc.
This ban applies to all (local) retail points accessible to private customers.
For further details, we recommed reviewing the full article by FPS Public Health. Click the link below to access the official page directly.
Questions and answers on displaying tobacco products
Application and regulations of the FPS Public Health