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Going Abroad With Your Vape? Make Sure You Read This First

By Caroline Barry 17th September 2020 3 Mins

While we may not be jetting off anywhere soon, it’s always a good idea to plan ahead. 

Not all countries allow vaping and some have restrictions on what you can and can’t do. Here are some popular holiday spots where it might be better to leave your vape at home.

Thailand

A golden temple and grey skyline in Thailand.
Image Source: aiworldexplore from Pixabay

Vaping in Thailand has been banned since 2014.

E-cigarettes and e-liquids are prohibited, with fines of up to 30,000 Baht for anyone caught in possession.

The penalties vary in severity depending on circumstances and situation but it is also possible to get a jail sentence of up to 10 years.

However, the jail sentence is usually given to distributors of vaping equipment rather than those in possession of personal use items.

While there isn’t a law that targets vaping in particular, the Customs Act prohibits the import of electronic cigarettes and other items.

As these items have not had a tax added to them, it makes their possession illegal.

81,521 people in Thailand die as a result of tobacco-related diseases every year.

Turkey

Vaping is not illegal in Turkey but purchasing or distributing e-cigarettes is.

Restrictions mean that many vapers bring in e-cigarettes and e-liquids online or through different countries to get around the ban.

The decision to ban the imports is part of a government campaign to reduce the amount of Turkish cigarettes smokers.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s government banned all advertisements, promotions and sponsorships of alcohol and tobacco products in Turkey in 2013. Such products are frequently blurred out in television shows.

Although smoking rates in the country are on the decline, Turkey spends $25 billion on smoking to deal with tobacco and tobacco related disease treatment.

Taiwan

A Taiwan cityscape
Image source: Free-Photos from Pixabay

E-cigarettes and e-liquids are in violation of Article 14 of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act which means they cannot be imported into the country.

It is also worth noting that anyone heading through Taiwan on a layover must go to the ‘goods to declare’ counter to declare their vaping items.

These can be collected upon departure.

E-cigarettes are classed as a regulated drugs, which means that the import and sale could result in a fine or prison sentence.

Vaping among young Taiwanese people rose from 2.7 percent in 2018 to 4.2 percent in 2019.

However the number of smokers in the same age group rose for the first time in a decade last year.

Brazil

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Image by Heiko Behn from Pixabay

In 2014, Brazil became one of the first countries to ban e-cigarettes.

Authorities believe that their is insufficient evidence to support their use as a tobacco harm reduction tool.

Vape devices are considered tobacco products, which prohibits their use in public places.

Brazil a relatively low adult smoking population of around 9 percent.

Mexico

Photograph of a Mexican city
Image Source: CrismarPerez from Pixabay

Mexico has banned the import of all vape products on February 20 this year.

The law bans all products including nicotine-free e-liquids and hardware.

Mexican president, Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador cites health advice from the World Health Organization (WHO) for his decision introduce the ban.

India

Photograph of the Taj Mahal in a dust cloud
Image Source: Free-Photos from Pixabay

India banned the production, import and sale of vape products in 2019. Those caught manufacturing, importing or selling could face a three-year prison sentence.

The announcement of the ban came after India’s government became alarmed at the rise in vaping among young people.

India has more than 100 million adult smokers, making it a huge potential market for e-cigarette companies.

A bag, scarf, camera, sunglasses and watch on the floor
Image Source: Free Photos from Pixabay
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About this author
Caroline Barry
Caroline Barry is an experienced journalist across multiple sectors and hails from Clonakilty in Ireland. Her journalism focuses on CBD, medical cannabis, vaping, LGBT+ rights and culture. She is currently working on her first non-fiction book about growing up gay with ADHD in rural Ireland. Caroline is currently based in Nottingham, England with her small black cat.
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