32 Countries That Ban Vaping

The list of countries that ban vaping is growing.

Some of these prohibitions revolve around flavored vape juice, like in the USA.

Others around the importation, distribution, and sales.

And then there is the third kind of bans – bans that punish electronic cigarette users… for e-cigarette use.

So as you’re packing for your next holiday, instead of fretting about how to pack your vape gear, do a bit of digging to see if it would be better to leave your vape devices at home. Especially if you’re planning to travel to countries in Latin America orthe  Middle East, which have some of the strictest anti-vaping laws on the books.

Here is a top 8 list of countries withthe  harshest anti-vaping regulations:

1. Singapore
2. Cambodia
3. Gambia
4. Nicaragua
5. Turkmenistan
6. Vatican City
7. Uruguay
8. Qatar

All of these countries have strict laws – and they enfore them (with the exception of Vatican City) – so take care when traveling there.

In this post, you will find an always-growing [sadly] list of countries where e-cigarette users are…  less then welcome. But, before I go into that, let’s take a quick look at why some places feel the need to ban a practice that the Public Health England [a leading health authority in the UK] called ‘95% safer than smoking’.

Why Do Countries Ban Vaping?

It’s difficult to say with any real certainty why vaping is illegal in some countries around the world. My guess (and a lot of experts do agree with this) is that countries are looking at their financial interests – often dictated by Big Tobacco and Big Pharma lobbies – and are doing what they can to excise tax and tobacco settlement money flowing. 

Then you have the World Health Organisation.

WHO holds big sway over places where using an e-cigarette is illegal, Such sway, in fact, that they can singlehandedly dictate laws and policies in third-world countries. Which is exactly what they do. Of course, the World Health Organization claims it’s to protect children and young people from associated health risks [and they’re aided in those claims by organizations such as Health Canada, CDC, US Centers for Disease Control, and dubious healthcare professionals in various places].

But the protection of public health is the last thing on their mind (especially since young e-cigarette users and smokers have been in decline in recent years).

Mostly, it’s about money.

Take India.

The government there owns a good chunk of tobacco fields, and it stands to lose a lot of money if people switch over to vaping. Their position on the matter is horrible but at least it’s honest. Other tobacco-invested nations don’t prohibit what’s essentially a consumer product but they levy a hefty tax on vape products to discourage people from using them (and to, effectively, ban them – you can’t really use something you can’t afford).

And take a look at Indonesia.

In order to keep people smoking regular cigarettes, they’ve imposed a 57% tax on vaping. Considering that most of Indonesia’s excise tax income comes from tobacco, this is not surprising. In fact, Indonesia’s trade minister went as far as to suggest that vapers should just take up conventional smoking because “a reduction in smoking would harm the country’s tobacco farmers”.

I couldn’t make this stuff up even if I tried!

The ugly truth is that some countries are banning e-cigs because it would hurt their revenue if they didn’t. The math is simple for them – the more people who smoke, the more money they make. And, their legislators are under enormous pressure from the Big Pharma companies to keep their population addicted to the poison that is cigarette smoke. Otherwise, their incredible yearly revenue of $ 1 TRILLION would definitely start to shrivel up in the coming years.

Bottom line?

Sick, addicted people are good for business.

On the other hand, our vapes are potentially good for quitting.

Get Yours Today (Click Here)

32 Places Where E-Cigarettes Are Banned Or Restricted

Unfortunately, there are only a few countries that have taken to actively promoting vaping as a life-saving smoking cessation method. One of them is the United Kingdom (UK), where physicians are encouraged to suggest vaping to smokers, and there is talk of making vape products available over the NHS (meaning, the government would subsidize them for patients with prescriptions). Even most European Union countries take a more cynical view of electronic cigarettes although most do not ban the sale of e-cigarette products.

Here’s a list of the countries that I’m certain to have laws that prohibit vaping (I’m leaving out those that we have no info on – such as North Korea).

Of course, since vaping laws quickly change, some of the information here might become outdated. I’ll do my best to update the list regularly.

If you notice that something is off the mark, make sure to leave a comment and I’ll add to or amend the list!

For now, here are 32 places in the world with strict laws and regulations surrounding electronic cigarette use.

Antigua and Barbuda – the use of e-cigarettes is allowed, as is the possession of a vaping device. However, the sale of e-cigs and other vaping gear is prohibited. The country equated e-cigs to tobacco cigarettes in their 2018 Tobacco Control Act – you can find more information here.

Austria – the use of e-cigarettes is legal, as is the sale. However, nicotine vape juices might be hard to find since vape shops need a special permit to carry them.

Australia – e-cigarettes are legal to possess and use. However, selling nicotine vape juices is prohibited, and the fines can be severe, depending on the state.

Argentina – vaping and possession is legal in Argentina. However, selling, advertising, or importing vape gear is illegal. Expats living in Argentina do say that tourists are almost never bothered when entering the country with their vape gear, as long as they don’t bring in gallons of flavors and vape juice.

Brazil – Vaping devices are legal to use, but can’t be imported or sold. Most Brazillian vapers agree that you should be fine when entering the country with a personal use supply as the law is not really enforced. Just make sure not to vape in closed spaces or in really crowded public areas.

Cambodia – use of ENDS, including e-cigs, as well as advertising, sales, and import is strictly prohibited in Cambodia. The authorities will most likely confiscate your vape gear and fine you if they catch you using an e-cig anywhere in the country.

Colombia – the Columbian law regarding vaping is a free for all right now. Vaping devices are equated to cigarettes, which means that they can be used but you can’t import or sell them. This is a bit weird since Colombia hosted a big America Vape Expo in 2017.

Estonia – legal to use and legal to sell. Still, high-nicotine vape juices (more than 0.7mg) can’t be bought in the country as no manufacturer is licensed to produce them.

Ethiopia – peculiarly, Ethiopia bans the sale and import of e-cigs… but they don’t ban promotion or advertising. Use of e-cigarettes is restricted in public spaces.

Gambia – Gambia has implemented a complete ban on this smoking cessation product – use and possession are illegal, as are sale and import. In effect, they have a blanket ban on pretty much that corner of nicotine replacement therapy… although it’s difficult to gauge how inforceable this all is. 

India – vaping is legal in most of India, except in 6 states (Kerala, Karnataka, Punjab, Maharashtra, the Union Territory of Chandigarh, and Bihar). The state of Punjab convicted a vaper to a 3-year jail term in 2016 for possession of one cigalike device with eight cartridges. If traveling to any of these states, do not carry your vape gear! The government recently recommended all states to implement vaping bans but ultimately leaves it up to them to decide.

Japan – in Japan, it’s legal to use and sell vape gear. However, the sale of nicotine e-liquid is prohibited unless a store has a special permit (medicinal use). It’s important to note that the Japanese are more into heat-not-burn products, such as IQOS.

Jordan – it looks like Jordan has made vape devices illegal in 2009, which includes the use, possession, and sale of e-cigs. However, many tourists report that they were not bothered when entering the country with their vape gear. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend trying it. 

Mexico – vaping is legal. The sale of vape gear and importation is illegal. That said, Mexico is lives from tourism, and the police turn a blind eye to vaping tourists. If you refrain from vaping in closed spaces, you should be fine, especially if in touristy places. (This is one country that bans vaping that I’d actually risk it in).

Nicaragua – a complete prohibition on vaping products – use is illegal, as is the sale and importation. Several vapers have been fined and incarcerated because of vaping in the last couple of years.

Malaysia – certain Malaysian states have completely banned vaping – use, possession, sale, and importation.  There’s a push to ban it completely all over the country. However, there’s a very vibrant community of vapers in Malaysia thanks to a thriving black market, so the situation is confusing, at the very least. That said, Malasyia is set to legalize e-cigarettes in August 2022. Who said activism doesn’t pay off!

Oman – while the law on the books says that the use and import of vape devices are illegal, the reality is a bit different. Those e-cigarette users who own a personal use device are often undisturbed and won’t be punished. As a tourist visiting the country, you might want to exercise a bit more caution.

Thailand – the possession and use of vape gear are legal – sale and importation are illegal. Despite that, Thailand has earned a reputation as being very strict in upholding the law (most South-East Asia places are). If you’re caught with an e-cigarette, you can be fined and imprisoned because technically, as a tourist, you did import it.

Turkmenistan – this country cracked down on vaping in 2021. Sales, import, and advertising of vapes are all completely banned. That said, Turkmenistan also has very strict laws around traditional cigarettes – most tobacco products are limited or highly regulated.

Panama – the use of e-cigs is legal in Panama. However, importing vapes and their sales is not. If caught vaping, you can be fined because, as a tourist, you technically imported a prohibited item into the country.

Suriname – vaping is technically legal in Suriname but it’s best done in the confines of your AirBnB since smoking in public is prohibited. Sale, import, and advertisement of e-cigarettes are all prohibited.

Seychelles – e-cigarettes are legal to use and possess. However, selling and importing them is prohibited, and they are classified as tobacco products. If vacationing in Seychelles, I suggest leaving your vape gear at home as you might have problems during the customs check.

Singapore – use, sale, importation, and advertising of e-cigarettes are strictly prohibited in Singapore. This country has one of the strictest laws regarding vaping in the world. You could be fined up to $ 1,500 just for having a vape pen. Jail time of up to 6 months in prison is also not excluded.

Sri Lanka – sale, importation, and advertising of liquid nicotine vape devices and is prohibited in the Aisan country of Sri Lanka. Other vape gear exists in legal limbo for now – it’s not against the law to purchase vapes not intended for nicotine usage, but options are few and far in between.

United Arab Emirates – UAE Health Ministry has previously banned the use and possession of e-cigarettes, as well as their sale and importation. However, as of 2022, e-cigarettes have been equated with traditional cigarettes – rules apply, but the bans are no longer in place.

United States of America – the USA vaping laws are difficult to navigate – e-cigs are legal to own and legal to sell. But, only if they were manufactured prior to August 8th, 2016. Anything past that date needs to be approved by the FDA (no approvals have been issued so far). However, states can choose to curb the use and sale of vaping gear as they please. For a list of laws pertaining to vaping in certain US states, refer to this Wikipedia article.

The landscape of vaping regulations is constantly changing in the US. Some states and cities, like San Francisco, have moved to outlaw vaping in public places or to criminalize the sale of flavored e-liquids. The FDA still seems to be in the dark as to how to approach everything on the federal level (although the agency is looking to heavily regulate everything, from use to sales). In the meantime, local politicians use vaping bans as a means of scoring political points with their sponsors from Big Tobacco and Big Pharma. We can only hope that we will get reasonable regulations before 2022 rolls around – that’s when pre-2016 vape products that did not receive FDA approval get pulled from the market.

Venezuela – vaping in Venezuela is legal at this time. However, the laws around sale and importation are confusing as a permit is required to classify e-cigs as either consumer goods or medicinal products. As of now, no such permit has been issued. When vaping in Venezuela, make like the locals and don’t vape where smoking is prohibited.

Vatican City – in 2020, the Vatican equated electronic nicotine delivery systems with regular tobacco products which have been banned since 2002. What this means is that both smoking and vaping are outlawed in this tiny state. However, users of both electronic cigarettes and regular cigarettes abound. Lots of people can be seen smoking or vaping in Saint Peter’s square, and the enforcement of this ban isn’t particularly strict.

Uganda – owning an e-cig is legal in Uganda. However, since vape gear is classified as an ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery system), sales and importation are illegal. I would advise you not to get caught vaping there.

Uruguay – this South American country banned the commercialization, importation, and advertising of vape devices in 2017.

Qatar – vaping is completely banned in Qatar. This includes the use, possession, and sale of e-cigarettes. Customs officers are charged with seizing any vape products entering the country. Again, this is not a country in which you’d want to be caught breaking the law so I suggest not bringing your vape gear if you’re traveling there.

It’s important to note here that many of these countries that are prohibiting the use of electronic cigarettes are doing so at the explicit recommendation of the WHO. When drafting and enacting laws, their officials often cite WHO guidelines (flawed and misleading) as the main reason for doing so.

What to Do When Visiting a Country That Bans Vaping

Whenever you’re traveling abroad, be it to any of these countries or somewhere else, and you plan on taking your vape gear, make sure to check with your embassy if there are any laws prohibiting the use of e-cigs.

As I’ve mentioned, things change fast in this arena.

Up until recently, vaping was allowed in Mexico… but not allowed in New Zealand. Now, the situation is reversed.

So here are a few tips if you’re traveling:

1. Doublecheck local laws – know where you’re going. The ‘I didn’t know’ defense rarely works… and you are responsible for following local regulations.
2. Get the downlow on punishment – is it a fine? A warning? Jail time? Know what the repercussions are, and decide if you can live with them.
3. Pack other nicotine replacement therapy – make sure you have a backup in case your vape devices and e-liquid are confiscated.

If you have any questions about the countries where vaping is illegal, don’t hesitate to contact us! In the meantime, check out Kind Pen’s easy-to-use vape pens – we’re sure you’re going to find something that’s to your liking!