You Could Go To Jail For Vaping On Holiday

E-cig users, beware.

Several countries have introduced jail sentences for those caught carrying a vape kit in their luggage.

That means that vapers could face up to ten years in jail, just for carrying their gear.

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India and the Philippines have now joined Vietnam in issuing the harsh punishments, so make sure you know the rules before you travel to any of those countries.

In one case in India, a man was jailed for three years because of a law that's 78 years old, and other parts of the country have effectively banned vaping altogether.

The Philippines are famously strict with their drug laws and have introduced a ban on vaping in public spaces. Anyone caught breaking that ban could be facing four months in jail.

E-cigarettes are banned in Cambodia, Lebanon, and Vietnam, so if you were planning a trip to any of those countries you might want to do your homework first.

Thailand have got some of the harshest punishments for vapers. Bringing in refills or e-cigarettes themselves could land you a ten year prison sentence.

For a popular tourist destination that's also a renowned party hotspot, this one's quite a shock.

It's been estimated that 2.8 million Brits now vape, and it's a habit that's become increasingly popular in the last few years. You can barely walk down the street without strolling through a cloud of popcorn-scented vape smoke.

E-cigarettes are banned in popular holiday spots such as Egypt, the UAE, and Indonesia (that means Bali too), as well as Singapore, Jordan, and Oman.

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Ones that contain nicotine are illegal in South Africa, Malaysia and the Australian states of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

James Dunworth, chairman of E-Cigarette Direct, told the Mirror: "As millions of people gear up for their summer holiday it is easy to forget that foreign laws are different to those in the UK.

"Don't let a nice get-away turn into a get-locked-away, and check before you travel.

"Vaping, which is completely legal and mainstream here and in most countries, is illegal in some popular destinations with penalties ranging from confiscation or fine to 10 years in prison."

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Mr Dunworth added: "Another popular misconception is that you can vape on planes. While most airlines will tell you before take-off that vaping is banned, some may not.

"It's better to be safe than sorry so keep the kit packed away and wait until you know it's legal to use."

Topics: World News, UK News, law, vaping, Health

Daisy Jackson

Daisy Jackson is a freelance writer, who has previously worked at Shortlist Media and Trinity Mirror. She has written about the Manchester terror attacks and appeared on BBC Five live to discuss the aftermath, as well as interviewing an orthopaedic surgeon in Syria.