Oudergem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Local police, FPS Public Health, FAWV, and RSZ inspected several shops in Uccle, Oudergem, and Watermael-Boitsfort. Over 200 illegal vaping devices were seized, and fines of €3,000–€65,000 were issued.
As VRT News reported, local police in Uccle, Oudergem, and Watermael-Boitsfort carried out inspections on several night shops and grocery stores along Waversesteenweg on Monday night, Oct 27, 2025.
The operation involved a wide team, including officers from the local police, inspectors from the FPS Public Health, the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAWV), and the National Social Security Office (RSZ).
What led to 200+ illegal vapes seized in Oudergem, Uccle, and Watermael-Boitsfort?
During the inspections, 4 of the 9 businesses visited were found in violation of the law. The main issues were the sale of illegal e-cigarettes and vaping devices. Many of these products contained nicotine levels above the legal limit. Police and inspectors seized over 200 devices. Fines were issued for the offences, ranging from €3,000 to €65,000, depending on how serious the violations were.
Inspectors also discovered hygiene and regulatory problems in several stores. Authorities confiscated products that did not meet European Union standards. This included cosmetics and honey sold with claims that they had aphrodisiac effects. Officials stressed that these inspections protect consumers from unsafe products and ensure that shops follow the law.
Belgian authorities have carried out similar inspections in the past to enforce rules on vaping, hygiene, and safety. On 29 January 2025, police and inspectors seized over 12,000 illegal vaping devices in a gallery in central Brussels.
On 8 July 2025, 6 businesses in Ixelles were closed for violations, including poor hygiene and illegal employment. A report on 30 July 2025 showed that about one quarter of 623 shops inspected under a new tobacco display ban were not following the rules.
