Taking Vapes Abroad: Electronic Cigarette Laws Across the Globe

Every summer, without fail, I get the same message from my vaping friends: “Can you take vapes abroad?” And every year, my answer remains the same—it depends.

Vaping laws vary widely across the globe. While the UK has a relatively progressive stance on e-cigarettes, not all countries share the same outlook. Some nations welcome vaping with open arms, while others impose strict restrictions—or ban it outright.

The good news? The majority of countries allow vaping in some form. However, with regulations evolving rapidly, it’s easy to get caught out by unexpected bans, customs restrictions, or local laws you weren’t aware of.

Bringing your vape to a destination where it’s prohibited could result in confiscation, hefty fines, or even legal trouble—something no one wants to deal with while travelling. To help you stay informed, I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide outlining where vaping is legal, restricted, or completely banned. Whether you’re heading on holiday or a business trip, this guide will ensure you stay on the right side of the law.

Can You Take Vapes Abroad?

If you want to avoid finding yourself in a situation where you’re tempted to reach for a cigarette, it’s essential to research vaping laws before booking your holiday. Knowing the rules in advance can save you from unnecessary stress and help you plan accordingly.

But if you’ve already booked your trip and are now panic-scrolling the night before departure—don’t worry! There’s still time to get organised. With a little preparation, you can ensure a smooth travel experience and avoid any last-minute vaping dilemmas at the airport.

Are you allowed to take vapes on a plane?

First things first: make sure your departure airport and airline permit you to travel with e-cigarettes. While most airports and airlines allow vapes in carry-on luggage, some have specific restrictions on battery sizes, liquid limits, or even where you can use your device before boarding. Checking these rules in advance will help you avoid any surprises at security and ensure a hassle-free start to your journey.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with how to pack your vape gear correctly. E-cigarettes and vape batteries must always be carried in your hand luggage, as they’re prohibited in checked baggage due to fire risks. If you’re bringing e-liquid, make sure it complies with your airline’s liquid allowance—typically, bottles must be under 100ml and stored in a clear plastic bag. Taking these precautions will help you breeze through security without any issues.

What are the electronic cigarette laws abroad?

Once you’ve confirmed that you can take your vape on the plane, the next step is to familiarise yourself with the vaping laws at your destination. Regulations can vary significantly, from unrestricted use to strict limitations on where and how you can vape.

To help you stay informed and avoid any issues upon arrival, let’s start by looking at the countries where vaping is fully legal and widely accepted.

Countries Where Vaping is Legal

As of July 2024, the following countries have legalised vaping, allowing travellers to bring and use e-cigarettes without major issues.

However, just because vaping is legal doesn’t mean it’s unrestricted. Many of these countries still enforce regulations on where you can vape—such as in bars, restaurants, public transport, and other indoor spaces. Always check local laws and signage before using your device to avoid fines or unwanted attention.

A good rule of thumb is to assume that if smoking is banned in a particular area, vaping is likely prohibited there as well. When in doubt, ask a local or look for designated smoking areas to stay on the safe side.

Can you vape in Armenia? E-cigarettes are legal in Armenia, although the use of e-cigarettes in indoor public places, workplaces, and public transport is prohibited. More Info	Can you vape in Austria? E-cigarettes are legal in Austria, but vaping is prohibited wherever smoking bans apply. This includes vaping in cars where children under 18 years old are present. More Info
Can you vape in Belgium? E-cigarettes are legal in Belgium, although there are legal restrictions on their use in public places. Those who break the rules can be fined between €208 and €8,000. For this reason, we recommend only vaping in areas where smoking is explicitly permitted. More Info	Can you vape in Bosnia & Herzegovina Bulgaria? There are no specific laws on the use of nicotine vapes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We recommend exercising caution when vaping in public and being considerate of differing attitudes towards vaping. More Info
Can you vape in Bulgaria? E-cigarettes are legal in Bulgaria, and vaping has more leniency than smoking. there There are no restrictions on vaping indoors, and vaping is even allowed in areas where smoking is banned. More Info	Can you vape in Canada? You are allowed to bring vaping products into Canada for personal use, but vaping in places where smoking is banned is strictly prohibited. This includes restaurants, in vehicles with a child under 15, in sheltered areas, and in enclosed public places. More Info
Can you vape in China? Vaping is currently permitted in public in mainland China, although this is expected to change in the near future. If you’re travelling to China after July 2024, we recommend double checking the current rules before your trip. More Info	Can you vape in China? Vaping is currently permitted in public in mainland China, although this is expected to change in the near future. If you’re travelling to China after July 2024, we recommend double-checking the current rules before your trip. More Info
Can you vape in Croatia? E-cigarettes are legal in Croatia, and vapers are permitted to use vaping devices in any areas where they can smoke. Vaping in public places is prohibited. More Info	Can you vape in Cuba? There are no specific laws on the use of nicotine vapes in Cuba. We recommend exercising caution when vaping in public and being considerate of differing attitudes towards vaping. More Info
Can you vape in Cyprus? E-cigarettes are legal in Cyprus, but vaping is not allowed in public areas. Vaping is also forbidden in private vehicles where a pregnant woman or a child under 18 years is present. Breaches of vaping rules are punishable by fines of up to €850. More Info	Can you vape in the Czech Republic? E-cigarettes are legal in the Czech Republic. However, vaping is prohibited in public places. This includes hospitals, schools, shopping centres and public transport. Vaping is also forbidden in cars with children under the age of 18. More Info
Can you vape in Denmark? Vaping is allowed in Denmark. There are, however, restrictions on their use in public places. This includes public transport and schools. More Info	Can you vape in the Dominican Republic? There are currently no specific electronic cigarette laws in the Dominican Republic. We recommend exercising caution when vaping in public and being considerate of differing attitudes towards vaping. More Info
Can you vape in Dubai? E-cigarettes are legal in Dubai, but vaping is prohibited in all public places, including malls, restaurants, public transport, etc. When vaping in Dubai, it is best to stick to designated smoking areas. More Info	Can you vape in El Salvador? Vaping is legal in private residencies throughout El Salvador but prohibited wherever tobacco products and tobacco derivatives are banned. More Info
Can you vape in Egypt? Vaping has recently become legal in Egypt, so the rules and regulations are currently unclear. We recommend vaping only in dedicated smoking areas and being mindful of differing attitudes towards vaping. More Info	Can you vape in Estonia? Vaping is permitted in designated smoking areas within Estonia. Only tobacco and menthol-flavoured e-liquids are available for purchase in Estonia. If you prefer other flavour profiles, we recommend taking enough to last the duration of your trip. More Info
Can you vape in Finland? Vaping is allowed in designated smoking areas across Finland. The only legal vapes available to purchase in Finland are tobacco flavoured. If you prefer a different flavour profile, be sure to take enough with you to last the duration of your trip. More Info	Can you vape in France? E-cigarettes are legal in France, but there are some restrictions on where vaping is allowed. While vaping is legal in bars and restaurants, it is prohibited on public transport. We recommend sticking to designated smoking areas when vaping in France. More Info
Can you vape in Germany? Vaping is legal in Germany, but there are legal restrictions on vaping which vary from state to state. As a rule, vaping is permitted in areas where smoking is allowed. We recommend checking the regulations for your destination state before departing. More Info	Can you vape in Greece? E-cigarettes are legal in Greece, with no restrictions on vaping in public places. More Info
Can you vape in Honduras? It is legal to vape in Honduras, but it is prohibited to vape in public or private spaces which are less than two metres away from gatherings or passings. There is also a ban on vaping in stadiums. More Info	Can you vape in Hungary? Vaping is legal in Hungary but prohibited in spaces where smoking is banned. Vapers who break these regulations may receive fines of up to $980. More Info
Can you vape in Indonesia? The use of e-cigarettes is legal in Indonesia, although the rules on vaping in public remain unclear. For this reason, we recommend sticking to designated smoking areas where vaping is not expressly permitted. More Info	Can you vape in Ireland? E-cigarettes are legal in Ireland, and vaping is permitted in all areas where smoking is accepted. More Info
Can you vape in Israel? Vaping is legal in Israel, and there are no specific regulations relating to e-cigarette use. More Info	Can you vape in Italy? Vaping is legal in most parts of Italy but prohibited in some public spaces. Though vaping is permitted in Rome, it is prohibited in Vatican City. Vaping is also banned in the smoke-free regions of Veneto and Sardinia. More Info
Can you vape in Japan? Travellers are permitted to bring one month’s supply (up to 120ml of e-liquid and two vape devices) for personal use. We recommend taking as much as you need within this allowance, as the sale of e-cigarettes containing nicotine is illegal in Japan. More Info	Can you vape in Latvia? Vaping is legal in Latvia, although the use of e-cigarettes is prohibited in some public areas and around children. You must also stop vaping near someone upon request by either an official representative or member of the public. More Info
Can you vape in Lithuania? Vaping is legal in Lithuania but is prohibited in areas where smoking is banned. More Info	Can you vape in Maldives? Vaping is legal in the Maldives, but there are legal restrictions for vaping in public places. The use of e-cigarettes is typically accepted in places where smoking is permitted. More Info
Can you vape in Malta? It’s legal to vape in Malta, although the use of e-cigarettes is prohibited in vehicles where a child under 16 years is present and in places where smoking is banned. More Info	Can you vape in Morocco? There are currently no specific electronic cigarette laws in Morocco. We recommend exercising caution when vaping in public and being considerate of differing attitudes towards vaping. More Info
Can you vape in the Netherlands? Vaping is legal in the Netherlands, but there are some legal restrictions on vaping in public places. This includes a ban on vaping in non-smoking areas. More Info	Can you vape in New Zealand? Vaping is legal in New Zealand, but individual organisations can impose their own restrictions, meaning the rules of vaping vary depending on the setting and location. More Info
Can you vape in Norway? E-cigarettes are legal in Norway, but vaping is prohibited in all places covered by Norway’s smoking ban. Unless vaping is expressly prohibited, we recommend sticking to designated smoking areas. More Info	Can you vape in Paraguay? Vaping is legal in Paraguay, but there are restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes in public places. More Info
Can you vape in Peru? There are currently no specific electronic cigarette laws in Peru. We recommend exercising caution when vaping in public and being considerate of differing attitudes towards vaping. More Info	Can you vape in the Philippines? It is legal to use and buy e-cigarettes in the Philippines, but vaping is prohibited in public places. More Info
Can you vape in Poland? Vaping is legal in Poland, and vapers are permitted to use electronic cigarettes wherever smoking is accepted. There are fines imposed on those who violate vaping restrictions. More Info	Can you vape in Portugal? Vaping is legal in Portugal, but the use of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes is not permitted in areas where smoking is also prohibited. This includes public places and on public transportation. More Info
Can you vape in Romania? Vaping is legal and widely accepted in Romania. The only place where vaping is prohibited is on public transport. More Info	Can you vape in Russia? Although it is legal to use e-cigarettes in Russia, strict restrictions are imposed upon vaping in public places. This includes public transport, restaurants, and other shared spaces. More Info
Can you vape in Slovenia? Though e-cigarettes are legal in Slovenia, there are restrictions on vaping in public places. These restrictions apply to public transport and in vehicles where children under 18 years are present. More Info	Can you vape in South Africa? Vaping is widely accepted in South Africa, but there are plans to prohibit vaping in public places, so double check the latest rules if travelling after July 2024. More Info
Can you vape in South Korea? Vaping is legal in South Korea but is prohibited in public places and on public transport. The use of e-cigarettes is permitted in designated smoking areas. More Info	Can you vape in Spain? Vaping is legal in Spain, but prohibited in indoor state-owned public places, on public transport and in some outdoor places. More Info
Can you vape in Sweden? E-cigarettes are legal in Sweden and can be used anywhere that smoking is permitted. There is a ban on vaping in public spaces. More Info	Can you vape in Switzerland? Vaping is legal and is permitted in designated smoking areas across Switzerland. More Info
Can you vape in Ukraine? Vaping is legal and is permitted in designated smoking areas across Ukraine. The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited on public transport and in other public spaces. More Info	Can you vape in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? It is legal to vape in designated areas across the UAE. Vaping is banned in public spaces such as beaches, shopping malls and hospitals. More Info
Can you vape in Vietnam? Vaping is prohibited where smoking is banned. It is unclear whether licensed vape products can be purchased in Vietnam, so we recommend taking enough with you to last the duration of your trip. More Info

Countries Where Vaping is Legal but Restricted

Here’s a list of the countries where vaping is legal with restrictions as of July 2024.

Can you vape in Australia? Laws on vaping vary depending on the state so we recommend checking out the following guide to Australian vaping laws for more specific information. More Info	Can you vape in Colombia? The sale, manufacture and marketing of e-cigarettes is illegal, but it is legal to vape outside of enclosed public spaces. It is currently unclear whether vapes are permitted through customs. More Info
Can you vape in Malaysia? Nicotine-containing e-liquids are classified as a poison and are prohibited in Malaysia. It’s currently unclear whether nicotine vapes will be permitted through customs. More Info	Can you vape in Tunisia? Though vapes are available to purchase in Tunisia, it is not clear whether e-cigarettes are permitted through customs. More Info
Can you vape in Turkey? It is currently unclear whether vaping is permitted in Turkey. The Ministry of Health Circular states bans importation and sale of e-cigarettes, but other laws simply ban vaping in places where smoking is banned. More Info	Can you vape in USA? Regulations vary throughout different states of America. More Info

Countries Where Vaping is Illegal

Vaping in these countries is illegal as of July 2024:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Cambodia
• India
• Jordan
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Seychelles
• Singapore
• Suriname
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Uruguay

Taking Vapes Abroad: A Recap

Globally, the acceptance of vaping is on the rise, with the majority of countries permitting e-cigarettes in some capacity. In fact, there are far more destinations where vaping is legal than those where it is outright banned or heavily restricted.

That said, vaping laws are constantly evolving, and what’s allowed today may be prohibited tomorrow. To avoid any unexpected issues while travelling, it’s always best to check the latest electronic cigarette regulations for your destination before packing your vape. A little research in advance can save you from potential fines, confiscation, or legal trouble upon arrival.

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Please note that the information on this page is intended as a guide only. We strongly recommend you check the specific laws for the country you are travelling to before departing.

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