VAPING LAWS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
With the UK government announcing new restrictions on the sale and purchase of vapes in the UK, it’s important for British holidaymakers to be aware of other countries also enforcing new and stricter laws when booking their next break.
With some countries administering huge financial penalties, and others even imposing prison time, knowing the changing laws could make a huge difference to this year’s summer holidays. With this complex set of rules in mind, leading smoking alternatives retailer, Haypp Group, has revealed all you need to know about vaping in some of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations.
1. Turkey
While not banned outright, you can’t actually buy any vape kits or e-liquids in Turkey as none have been successfully licensed, so the sale of vapes is illegal. However, you are allowed to use any vapes you have brought with you without fear. Turkey also doesn’t allow the use of vapes indoors.
2. Spain
In Spain, people are already banned from smoking on beaches in several areas. The Balearic Islands made 28 of their beaches no-smoking areas in 2023 and all 10 Barcelona beaches also prohibit smoking and vaping. Anyone, including British holidaymakers, caught breaking the rules could be faced with fines of up to 2,000 euros. Spain has approved a new anti-smoking plan which limits where people can smoke, increases tobacco prices and includes a crackdown on vaping.
3. France
The French parliament has voted unanimously to ban single-use e-cigarettes. The law still needs to go through government approval and backing by the EU. If both approve the bill, the government said it hopes the ban will be effective by September 2024.
4. Portugal
In Portugal, vaping is treated the same way as smoking and is regulated in accordance with the EU Tobacco Products Directive. Vaping is banned in all public enclosed spaces, bars, restaurants, and clubs and you can get fined up to 750 euros for disobeying the law.
5. Italy
Vapes are legal in Italy, both to purchase and to use. They are banned in enclosed spaces and Veneto and Sardinia are completely smoke-free. Violators face fines ranging from € 27.50 up to € 550.
6. Greece
Disposable vapes are still legal in Greece. You can purchase them without a prescription and there are no legal restrictions on their use in public places. However, there are some regulations that you need to be aware of, such as the maximum nicotine content and the size of the e-liquid cartridges.
7. USA
In the US, vaping laws vary with some states prohibiting vaping in every location where smoking is prohibited, while others have no laws at all regarding vaping. For example, vaping is prohibited in restaurants in Florida but allowed in bars in some localities, such as Miami. In California, e-cigarette use is prohibited in workplaces and many public spaces, including restaurants and bars. Vaping fines vary from $50 up to $500 depending on the state.
8. Australia
The strictest country of all is Australia. All vapes are illegal in Australia and can even result in prison time with a sentence of up to two years and fines of around £24,000. So leave the vapes at home if you’re visiting Australia this summer!
The full list of countries that have banned disposable vapes are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, North Korea, Ethiopia, Gambia, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Laos, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Panama, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Venezuela.
