By Timothy S. Donahue

Top Takeaways:

• Sales return: Belgian supermarkets regain right to sell tobacco in 2027
• Retail divide: Aldi and Lidl reject tobacco sales despite court ruling
• Policy tension: Industry groups continue pushing tougher youth restrictions

Belgian supermarkets may soon regain the legal right to sell cigarettes, but not all retailers seem eager to bring tobacco back to checkout counters.

Following a recent ruling by the Constitutional Court of Belgium striking down the country’s supermarket tobacco ban, large grocery chains will once again be permitted to sell tobacco products beginning Jan. 1, 2027, provided products remain out of public view.

But the retail response is already divided. Discount chains Aldi Belgium and Lidl Belgium have both indicated they do not plan to resume tobacco sales, issuing what local reports described as a categorical refusal despite the regulatory reversal.

Other major supermarket operators have not yet committed either way, with several reportedly still consulting with franchise operators and evaluating commercial and reputational considerations related to tobacco sales.

The court ruling overturned a restriction introduced in April 2025 that prohibited tobacco sales in stores larger than 400 square meters, while allowing smaller outlets, such as convenience stores and newsstands, to continue selling tobacco products behind closed displays.

The court determined the distinction between large and small retailers violated principles of equal treatment under Belgian law.

The decision forced the federal government to revisit the framework, though Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke later confirmed the government would not pursue a replacement ban.

The result effectively restores supermarket tobacco sales starting next year while preserving display restrictions across all retail channels. However, the ruling has not slowed broader anti-smoking efforts in Belgium.

Retail federations Comeos and Unizo recently voiced support for tougher youth-access restrictions, including discussions about adopting measures similar to the United Kingdom’s generational tobacco-ban proposal.

Belgium has also already approved a ban on flavored vaping products beginning in 2028, as regulators continue to tighten nicotine rules aimed at youth prevention.