Brussels government frees up €350,000 for fight against tobacco

In the Brussels-Capital Region, 1,500 people, on average, die every year due to the effects of tobacco use, which makes smoking the main cause of death in the capital. The Brussels ministers responsible for health, Guy Vanhengel and Didier Gosuin have therefore set aside €350,000 to help in the fight against tobacco.

The funds will be used to support projects that help people quit smoking, especially young adults and vulnerable groups like the unemployed and the long-term sick. The money will also provide additional support to the various Smokers' Help Centres scattered across the capital and the Foundation against Cancer.

"If we know that smoking is the biggest cause of death worldwide, then it's up to the government to support innovative projects on smoking prevention," according to Gosuin and Vanhengel.