Belgium’s top judges reject bid to overturn online sales ban

Belgium’s highest administrative court has refused a request to overturn the country’s ban on online sales of e-cigarettes.

The Council of State turned down the appeal by two Antwerp retailers on the basis that “distance sales increase the risk of young people gaining access to e-cigarettes and refill containers”.

The ruling supports the “precautionary principle” followed by the government in making access to vaping products more difficult for minors. But it will disappoint those in the vaping industry who have lost sales as a result of the ban.

The judges said the retailers who presented the case were wrong to claim that the regulation restricted the legitimate freedom of trade and industry.