Rolling tobacco “too cheap" in Belgium

Belgium continues to sink lower in the list of countries with a good anti-tobacco policy. Especially the low price of rolling tobacco is considered a huge problem. "We are no longer making progress," tobacco control expert at the Belgian Foundation against Cancer Luk Joossens told De Standaard and Het Nieuwsblad.

Countries with a good anti-tobacco policy, including Britain, Ireland, Iceland and Norway, all have similar strategies: sharply driving up the price of tobacco and cigarettes, implementing a comprehensive advertising ban and requiring health warnings with pictures on all tobacco products. Belgium is thirteenth in the list, which is evidence of a poor policy.

“The biggest problem in Belgium,” according to Joossens, “is the low price of rolling tobacco. In all of our neighbouring countries, rolling tobacco is much more expensive. Some smokers actually come from far to purchase cheaper tobacco here.”