In brief: European nations are becoming increasingly serious about cracking down on smoking and vaping, especially among young people. Belgium has become the first country in the European Union to outright ban the sale of disposable vapes starting this month. At the same time, Italy's Milan also ushered in the new year by implementing a ban on outdoor smoking in public spaces. As reported by The Guardian, Belgian health minister Frank Vandenbroucke didn't mince words when announcing the prohibition last year, calling disposable e-cigarettes an "extremely harmful" product designed to hook a new generation on nicotine. He cited the waste from the non-reusable vapes as being packed with "hazardous chemicals" that damage the environment.While reusable vape systems aren't included in Belgium's ban, the country does have an ambitious goal of reducing new smokers to zero or near zero by 2040 through various "denormalizing" efforts.Smoking is already banned in playgrounds, sports fields, zoos, and theme parks. Starting April 1, tobacco products will no longer be sold in large supermarkets or displayed at points of sale.Recent surveys show Belgium's smoking rate among adults over 15 has fallen from 25.5% in 1997 to 15.3% in 2018. But health officials still felt tougher actions were needed to stay on track to achieve their 2040 target.As for Milan's new outdoor smoking ban, the smog-prone city is hoping to improve air quality and cut exposure to secondhand smoke by prohibiting lighting up on streets and in crowded public areas. Violators face fines ranging from 40 to 240. // Related StoriesThis builds on an existing 2021 rule that made parks, playgrounds, bus stops, and sports venues smoke-free zones. While e-cigs get a pass, the ban is another step in Italy's decades-long effort to reduce smoking rates by introducing stricter regulations.Nationwide, around 24% of Italians still smoke, according to data from last year. An estimated 93,000 deaths per year are attributed to smoking-related illnesses, according to the health ministry. Italy enacted its first public smoking restrictions back in 1975.Elsewhere, England, Wales and Scotland are making it illegal to sell single-use vapes starting in June due to environmental and health concerns.Masthead credit: haiberliu