A survey of Belgian vapers commissioned by the Tholos Foundation and conducted by Ipsos (n=301 adult vapers, April 2022) shows that flavor bans risk driving large numbers toward smoking or illicit supply.
Key findings:
- ~90% say flavors are important to vaping
- <10% support a flavor ban
- ~60% would respond by:
- smoking
- buying illicit products
- or mixing their own liquids
- ~75% use non-tobacco flavors (fruit 56%)
- Among those seeking alternatives:
- 75% would buy online
- 41% would source cross-border
- 87% support alternatives (education, youth enforcement)
Belgium highlights the core problem: demand persists, but regulation loses control.
You can see the results in full here: