Full list of countries where vaping is illegal as UK faces possible ban
The UK may be facing a ban on disposable vapes in a bid to protect the health of children – amid concerns many of the products target youngsters.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has called for a ban on disposable vapes, warning that ‘youth vaping is fast becoming an epidemic among children’, and that ‘e-cigarettes are not a risk-free product and can be just as addictive, if not more so than traditional cigarettes’..
Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan told Sky News: ‘We have been looking into this and have been doing a review because this is a very worrying trend that we’re seeing of young children taking up vaping that had never smoked before, and it is extremely dangerous to their health and their wellbeing.
‘It’s something that we do need to act on and, as a Government, what we’re trying to do is recognise what are the key challenges and grip them.’
If the ban goes ahead the UK will join a list of countries where vaping is partially or completely banned.
But where else in the world are vapes a no-no? Here’s what you need to know…
Where in the world is vaping banned?
Disposable vapes are banned in the following countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Bhutan
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- China
- East Timor
- Ethiopia
- Gambia
- Hong Kong
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- Malaysia (four states: Penang, Jodoh, Kedah and Kelantan)
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- North Korea
- Palestine
- Qatar
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
- Syria
- Thailand
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Uruguay
Possessing or using nicotine e-liquid is also a no-no in Australia, Ghana, South Africa and other parts of Malaysia unless prescribed by a doctor.
Which countries have restrictions on vaping?
While not banned outright, some other countries have placed restrictions on vaping.
In Spain (including Ibiza, all the Balearic islands and the Canary Islands), for example, vaping is banned in all indoor state-owned public places, on public transport and in certain outdoor places such as parks and some beaches.
All 10 of Barcelona’s beaches are vape and smoke-free, along with 28 in the Balearic islands) and those who flout the law face a fine.
In Turkey, the sale of vapes is illegal but you can bring your own e-cigarettes into the country and use them.
However, you’ll have to do it in private as vaping in public buildings such as schools, hospitals and government offices is banned – as is vaping on public transport.
Where is vaping legal?
If a country is not listed above then vaping is either legal there or it does not have any specific laws relating to vapes.
However, many places will have some rules and regulations around vapes and these can vary from one place to the next.
In some for example, only quantities below 20mg or ml are legal, while others, including most of those in Europe, have minimum age restrictions – generally 18, although it’s higher in some countries – for example 19 in Jordan and 21 in the Philippines.
Other countries have placed bans or restrictions on the advertising of vapes, or have placed restrictions on which flavours can be sold – while even in places where it’s legal, laws may exist such as bans on sparking up in certain buildings, or on public transport.
And it’s equally possible that vapes could be banned in certain countries where they are currently allowed.
For example, reports have suggested France is considering a plan to ban vapes as part of a national plan to fight smoking – while Ireland is holding a national consultation on whether they should be prohibited.
If you’re planning a trip abroad and you use vapes, you should check the most up-to-date laws in your destination country before you set off to avoid any potential issues while you are there.
MORE : Over half of British smokers now believe vapes are just as harmful as cigarettes
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