Tienen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Regional Hospital in Tienen will go fully smoke-free from January 1, 2026, banning smoking and vaping across all areas. Maurice Kurvers, prevention advisor, highlighted limited exceptions for palliative patients.
As VRT News reported, the Regional Hospital in Tienen will become completely smoke-free starting January 1, 2026. The ban applies to all areas of the hospital, including indoor spaces, gardens, parking lots, and access roads. Smoking and vaping, including e-cigarettes, will no longer be allowed on any part of the hospital grounds.
“As a healthcare institution, we have a role to play in promoting health,”
says Maurice Kurvers, prevention advisor.
“A smoke-free hospital environment is an important step in providing everyone -staff, patients, and visitors-with an environment that supports health.”
What measures will make Tienen hospital fully smoke-free from January 1, 2026?
Hospital authorities said there may be limited exceptions in special cases. These exceptions will be controlled carefully and communicated clearly.
“That’s also part of our VIP mission, where we provide friendly, empathetic, and professional care to every patient. For some hospitalised patients, such as palliative care patients, it’s not possible to leave the hospital grounds to smoke. In such cases, our ’empathy’ for our mission prevails, and we provide a limited number of smoking areas.”
Over the past several years, Belgium has taken steps to restrict smoking in public places. In 2006, most indoor public spaces in Belgium, including offices and restaurants, were made smoke-free. In 2011, this legislation was expanded to include bars and cafes.
In 2019, the new regulations placed additional limitations on the use of e-cigarettes and tobacco products near schools and children’s play areas. Additionally, hospitals throughout Belgium have implemented their own smoke-free policies to protect both their patients and employees from secondhand smoke.
