Brits warned to check vaping laws for holidays or risk 10-year prison sentences

While smoking is allowed in most countries a number of nations have banned vaping. Some simply don't allow the sale of e-cigarettes and vaped within their borders others have made vaping and vapes themselves completely illegal – and Brits who pack their own could face up to 10 years in prison.

Whether you're looking to fly to nearby Turkey for a hot air balloon ride or want to holiday in Thailand and dine at the condom restaurant before heading to full moon parties, you'll need to leave your vapes at home, or risk some hefty punishments.

Some nations aren't as hard line against vapes, but don't allow vape juice or liquid that contain nicotine so you might want to be careful about what you take with you. There are a number of reasons for a nation to ban vapes – some cite that the fruity machines are luring young people towards smoking while others note the ban is for health reasons.

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You should always check the government's advice ahead of going on holiday to any foreign nation to ensure you're familiar with rules and restrictions. You can do this by looking at the gov.uk website and checking the various sections such as local customs and safety and security.

Travel company Ski Vertigo told Daily Star about a number of popular holiday destinations that ban vaping – and the punishments that Brits who break the rules could face. Check out their tips below…

Turkey

Topping the list, Turkey is the most popular tourist destination that has banned vaping. An impressive 2.7 million visits from the UK were recorded last year. Turkey’s strict anti-vaping stance has seen a complete prohibition on the sale, advertising, and importation of e-cigarettes and related products.

India

India, with 1.8 million British tourists in 2022, has taken a stringent approach to vaping. In 2019, the Indian government announced a complete ban on e-cigarettes, citing health concerns. Production, manufacturing, import/export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertising related to e-cigarettes are all prohibited.

Denmark

Denmark, having hosted over one million British tourists, regulates vaping with tight restrictions. While vaping is not entirely banned, there are rigorous rules around nicotine content, advertising, and product sales.

United Arab Emirates (Dubai)

The UAE, attracting 1.3 million Brits, has had a ban in place on the sale and use of electronic cigarettes since 2009. It's worth noting that while the majority of these visits are to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the ban is enforced throughout the entire nation.

Australia

Australia, where just shy of 1 million Brits travelled, adopts a state-by-state approach to vaping. While nicotine e-cigarettes are largely illegal to sell, exceptions exist if a prescription is obtained. Travellers should be aware of varying regulations depending on the region.

Mexico

Mexico, with 850,000 visits from the UK, implemented a ban on the sale, distribution, exhibition, promotion, and production of electronic nicotine delivery systems in 2020. This includes all e-cigarettes and vaporisers.

Thailand

Thailand, with just under 390,000 British visitors, takes a notoriously hard stance on vaping. Since 2014, tourists caught vaping could face fines of up to 30,000 baht (around £700) or even serve up to 10 years in prison. This stringent policy has been in place to curb the growth of vaping among Thai youth.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong, which saw over 200,000 UK visits, has stringent policies regarding vaping. The sale, manufacture, and importation of e-cigarettes and related products can result in hefty fines and imprisonment.

Japan

Japan, with 190,000 visits from the UK, does not completely ban vaping. However, the country prohibits the sale and use of liquid solutions containing nicotine. Tourists can ONLY vape with non-nicotine liquids.

A spokesperson for Ski Vertigo commented on the findings: "While the UK government is just now considering a ban on disposable vapes, many countries have long held strict rules against vaping. It's essential for vapers to thoroughly research the vaping laws of their holiday destinations before finalising their travel plans. The last thing anyone wants is to face unexpected legal challenges while on vacation.

"For those who have already booked trips to countries with strict vaping regulations, it's advisable to tread with caution. It's not just about avoiding fines; in some places, you could even land in jail. Fans travelling to the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix or the Dubai Expo in early October, should note the strict vaping regulations.

"If your holiday destination is vape-friendly, always carry your batteries and vaping devices in your hand luggage. Due to pressure difference in the plane's cargo hold, do not store these items in your checked baggage."

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