While the number of young smokers in Belgium is decreasing, average cigarette consumption is on the rise, according to a survey by the consumers’ organization CRIOC. Thirteen percent of 10 to 17 year-olds said they smoked last year, a slight decrease compared to 2009 figures. There were fewer smokers in the 13 to 15 year age range, but more aged 16 and 17. Teenagers smoke an average of 12.7 cigarettes a day compared to 11.5 in 2009. On average teenagers smoke their first cigarette at 13 with 30 percent admitting to have tried smoking at least once.

In one week laptops were stolen from the same computer store four times. On each occasion a couple entered the shop during a busy period and while the man sought advice from the seller, his partner, pushing a child’s buggy, slipped a laptop under its cover. The couple then left the store in Jodoigne (Brabant Walloon) without the theft being noticed. After three such thefts, the manager attached each computer by a metal cable. But on the same day, two laptops that had just been repaired, disappeared from the counter. The store is now installing surveillance cameras.

The polemic on spanking children in Belgium has been re-opened following a reminder from the United Nations human rights organisation in Geneva that the country has no legislation against corporal punishment. The absence of any specific legislation had previously been raised in 2003 and 2005. Some 20 European countries already have laws protecting kids from physical punishment.

Belgians are increasingly drinking speciality beers and not only in cafés, according to a new study by the Beer & Society Information Centre. Pils remains the favourite beer with 38.4 respondents placing it top of their list, compared to 52% in a 2005 study. Abbey, strong blond, trappist and regional beers have all risen in popularity. The national brew is now increasingly consumed in restaurants, homes and family occasions. But consumption remains moderate: 78% drink less than one unit a day and only 3.6% more than three units a day.

A Flemish village plans to replace the cockerel weather vane sitting atop its church by a lion, the symbol of Flanders. Roesbrugge-Haringe in West Flanders has decided that the traditional cockerel sign, popular on churches since the 12^th century, is too Walloon. The management committee of Saint-Martin’s church said many villagers were proud to be Flemish and could no longer tolerate a francophone symbol on the top of its tower. “The lion is the king of the animal kingdom. A cockerel is only a male chicken,” said its president Paul Recour. An order has already been made for a new wind vane in the form of a lion.