Belgium is grappling with a persistent public health crisis as tobacco-related deaths continue to claim nearly two lives per hour, despite medical advances and a gradual decline in the number of smokers.
According to cancer expert Filip Lardon from the University of Antwerp, the death toll may be higher than previously estimated, reaching as many as 15,000 people each year, or nearly two fatalities per hour.
This revelation comes as part of Lardon’s research and his latest book, which shines a light on the continued dangers and hidden costs of tobacco use.
Earlier estimates from Belgium’s public health institute Sciensano reported around 9,000 deaths annually, equating to one death every hour due to smoking-related illnesses. However, Lardon believes these figures may not fully capture the extent of the impact.
“Sometimes there are diseases that you cannot attribute with 100% certainty to smoking, although the probability is very high,” he said. When examining trends across the Benelux region, he recalculated the toll for Belgium, raising the estimated fatalities to two per hour.
Beyond the health crisis, the financial burden of smoking on Belgium’s healthcare system is substantial. Lardon estimates that smoking-related issues cost Belgium around €11 billion each year—a bill shouldered by all taxpayers.
This figure includes not only the costs of treating tobacco-related diseases but also the environmental damage caused by cigarette waste.
Each year, millions of cigarette butts are discarded across Belgium, with a single butt capable of contaminating up to 1,000 liters of groundwater, underscoring the environmental risks. The costs associated with collecting, processing, and mitigating this waste further strain public resources.
In response to this ongoing crisis, Belgium’s Federal Government has rolled out measures to curb smoking as part of the “Generation Smoke-Free” initiative, which aims to eliminate tobacco use among future generations by 2040.
Recent regulatory changes include bans on smoking at train stations—both indoors and on outdoor platforms—as well as restrictions on advertising and the sale of tobacco near places frequented by children.
These steps are intended to create environments that discourage young people from taking up smoking, as authorities strive to achieve a smoke-free generation within the next two decades.
However, experts caution that the current rate of decline in smoking prevalence may not be fast enough to meet Belgium’s long-term targets.
Sciensano’s 2023 projections reveal that while smoking rates are indeed dropping, one in five Belgians still smoke, highlighting the need for additional measures to accelerate the decline.
Lardon’s stark assessment of the human and economic toll of tobacco use calls attention to the urgency of stronger policies and public health campaigns.
As Belgium continues to take steps toward reducing smoking rates, the country faces both a challenge and an opportunity to create a healthier, more sustainable future.
The hope is that with sustained commitment, Belgium will be able to turn the tide on one of its most persistent public health issues.
