Belgium is the first in the EU to ban single-use e-cigarettes for health and environmental reasons.

Belgium is banning disposable e-cigarettes because they are bad for people's health and the environment. This new law will start on January 1st, making Belgium the first EU country to do this.

The health minister, Frank Vandenbroucke, says these cheap e-cigarettes are attracting young people to smoking. He says nicotine in e-cigarettes is addictive and harmful to health.

Disposable e-cigarettes also create a lot of waste with their plastic, batteries, and electronics. Vandenbroucke wants people to use reusable e-cigarettes to help them quit smoking instead.

Belgium is following Australia's lead, which banned selling e-cigarettes outside of pharmacies. Vandenbroucke hopes the EU will make stricter rules about tobacco products soon.

Even some e-cigarette sellers understand the environmental concerns about disposable vapes. They believe people will switch to reusable options, so it won't hurt their business too much.