Where Can I Vape Abroad?

Lockdown Ending So Where Can You Vape Abroad?

With lockdown lifting, holiday plans may be being made – but where can you vape?

Summer is coming, lockdown restrictions are being relaxed, but what does this mean for vapers? Britain leads the world in its attitude towards electronic cigarettes but vape on an e-cig in some countries and you could face a serious fine or jail.

Before we continue, you must take care not to treat this list as exhaustive and need to note that the situation in countries around the world is fluid – what is legal this week could be illegal next month. We have provided suggested links at the foot of the article so you can make further checks.

It is possible your friend Bob visited a country where vaping is banned and had no problems. It is possible that your other friend Aishwarya had no trouble buying black market products from a market stall. This does not mean that you will experience the same as there are numerous stories of holidaymakers receiving huge fines and being locked up in jail.

Thailand is a case in point: for years, Thailand enacted a ban almost every year despite one being in place but suddenly began acting on it three years ago. Many incidents occurred and the UK travel industry issued warnings to travellers not to take products into the country as they would be seized by customs. Despite this, vapers still reported seeing people vaping and shops selling e-liquids and kits. The final decision of whether to follow the advice will always be yours.

Consumer group The New Nicotine Alliance suggested to British vapers that if they do travel with equipment then they should vape discretely, even in Europe. Even if vaping is allowed, it isn’t as common as it is in the UK and you will attract attention. There is always the possibility a corrupt police officer will see a big cloud and single out the obvious vaper for a bribe.

What is the current legal status of vaping and electronic cigarettes by country?

  • Argentina – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Australia – Legal to vape, but possession of nicotine is illegal without a prescription. Laws vary by state, so you need to exercise caution
  • Bahrain – Legal
  • Bangladesh – Moving to ban, check before you go
  • Bhutan – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Brazil – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Brunei – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Cambodia – Banned
  • Chile – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid unless medically approved
  • Colombia -Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Egypt – Legal
  • Ethiopia -Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Europe – Legal
  • The Gambia – Banned
  • India – Varies by state, with some having a total ban and imprisoning people vaping
  • Iran – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Israel – Legal
  • Japan – Legal
  • Jordan – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Kuwait – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Lebanon – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Malaysia – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Mauritius – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Mexico – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Myanmar – Banned, but then civil wars make poor holiday destinations
  • Nepal – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Nicaragua – Banned
  • North Korea – Banned, but were you seriously considering taking the family for a fortnight in Pyongyang?
  • Oman – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Panama – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Seychelles – Legal
  • Singapore – Banned
  • Sri Lanka – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Suriname – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Thailand – Banned, vapers are receiving large fines and being imprisoned
  • Turkmenistan – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Turkey – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Uganda – Legal
  • United Arab Emirates – Legal
  • The United States – Legal to vape, you may experience problems purchasing e-liquid in certain states
  • Uruguay – Legal to vape, illegal for shops to sell you mods or e-liquid
  • Venezuela – Legal to vape, and reversing the ban on sales
  • Qatar – Banned


How should I pack my vaping equipment?

  • Batteries are not allowed in your checked-in luggage.
  • Almost all airlines have a limit of 100ml for e-liquid in carry-on luggage.
  • You can put more e-liquid in your checked-in luggage.
  • Make sure you put your tanks and e-liquid bottles in sealable bags as they will leak at altitude.
  • All major airlines and travel companies will tell you what their current policy is on their websites or by contacting their customer service department.

Where can I find up to date information?

  • Check out the UK Governments website for foreign travel advice
  • See if there is an update from The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction:
  • Ask a local or customs officer when you arrive at your destination.
  • We stock one of the largest ranges of e liquids in the UK

What information should I disregard?
Many websites use the information found on other websites which means it can be out of date and inaccurate. In this situation, Google is not your friend.

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