Popular holiday destinations where vaping can lead to serious fines or jail time
Tourists are urged to learn the laws of the countries they're entering.
The damaging phenomenon of vaping might be major business in the Western world, but there are some places abroad that smokers really don’t want to go puffing.
Such is the lawful dislike of vapes across six popular destinations, travellers caught in the act could be fined and even imprisoned for their actions. A spokesperson for Vape Ease UK has warned prospective British holidaymakers to be conscious of "shockingly strict" rules when heading away for a bit of tropical sunshine. "When in doubt, leave your vape behind," they said (per The Mirror).
But where are these danger spots, and what exactly do you need to know about their laws before choosing the next sandy getaway?
India
Introduced in 2019, the Indian vaping ban was put into effect via the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), which sounds quite bloody serious, right? This eliminated everything in the standard production line, including sales, importation, exportation, storage, and advertising. Refillable and disposable vapes are a complete no-no, as are heat-not-burn (HnB) products and E-hookahs.
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First-time guilty parties can face up to one year in jail, or a £1,000 fine. Or both. Any subsequent violations of India's ban increases the penalty fivefold.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Although vaping is technically legal in the UAE, those who choose to do so must adhere to the standards implemented by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA). You must be at least 18 years old to get your hands on a vape, and there are specific areas where you're allowed to blow your raspberry-flavoured plumes.
Should visitors not follow the rules, it's a minimum jail term of one year and fines ranging between £20,000 and £200,000. That one mistake could leave you bankrupt on these shores.
Thailand
Then there's Thai territory, which hasn't accepted any form of e-cigarette enjoyment for over a decade now. Anybody who happens to sidestep Thailand laws might be placed in handcuffs and faces 10 years in the clink. There's the possibility of a £700 fine, too.
Hong Kong
Vapers had better flock to Hong Kong while they can, because the lax guidelines around the use of these colourful sticks is changing this year, meaning you could get stung by £200k fines in the not-so-distant future. As things stand, only state imports, manufacturing, and the sale of vapes is illegal.
Japan
Interestingly, Japanese laws around vaping see nicotine e-liquids classified as medicinal products, with tourists allowed to bring with them 120ml of the filler materials. Nicotine-less vapes, meanwhile, face no restrictions at all, yet you must still abide by the designated smoking zones put in place. Risking it could incur huge fines and jail sentences.
Singapore
Lastly, the stunning country of Singapore is another example of zero toleration. That goes for importing, selling, and using, with offenders likely to get stripped of up to £2,300 for their crime. Ouch.
Dan Seddon