Booking your next holiday is a wonderful feeling. Travel to destinations near or far is an exciting time! With the thrills of booking your holiday (and besides the apparent stresses on departure day), have you considered certain issues with your e-cigarette or vape kit? It may come as some surprise that vaping is outright banned in some countries and heavily restricted in others. Along with that, there are the obvious rules and regulations at airports and on the plane regarding your e-cig or vape kit.
At the airport:
The international regulations of vaping vary from airport to airport. Unfortunately, vaping restrictions around the world seem to be getting stricter. If vaping is legal in the country and there is a smoking lounge/area at the airport, you should be able to use your e-cig. If ever in doubt, always enquire! Airports in the UK have a strict no smoking or vaping policy, but there are designated areas outside.
Taking your e-cig/kit onboard:
Rules may differ from one airline to another, but generally, you are allowed to take your e-cig or vape onboard. Specific rules and regulations must be followed. See below for more info:
British Airways
"This applies to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), including e-cigars, e-pipes and other personal vapourisers. Place these items in your hand baggage (not in checked baggage) and protect each of them to prevent accidental activation. You cannot use e-cigarettes or similar items on board."
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/baggage-essentials/liquids-and-restrictions#
Easy Jet
"You can carry e-cigarettes and a maximum of two spare batteries in your cabin bag – but not in the hold."
https://www.easyjet.com/en/help/baggage/restricted-and-unusual-items
Virgin Atlantic
"Electronic cigarettes (including e-cigars, e-pipes, other personal vaporisers) containing batteries must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation."
Ryan Air
"You can take e-cigs on the plane but you cannot use them. You can take a 'smart bag' (a bag that contains a lithium battery and can charge items from the USB port) on the plane as your item of carry-on baggage. However, you must remove the lithium battery before you put the bag in the overhead locker. The battery must stay with you at all times. You can take up to 15 electronic devices, and up to 20 lithium batteries, onto the plane with you."
https://www.ryanair.com/sr/en/useful-info/baggage/permitted-and-restricted-items
Emirates Airlines
"e-cigarettes (including e-cigars, e-pipes, Electric Portable Incense (Perfume) Burner or other personal vaporisers) containing batteries must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation."
https://www.emirates.com/uk/english/before-you-fly/travel/dangerous-goods-policy/
Qantas Airlines
"The use and charging of all e-cigarettes and other personal vaporisers are not permitted on board an aircraft."
Vaping on the plane:
An extreme violation of the law and not advised. Most airlines have included in pre-flight notifications that the use of e-cigs or vape kits is prohibited on board. If you try 'stealth vaping,' you're going to get caught! Put your headphones on and listen to music or watch inflight entertainment to keep you busy.
Countries where vaping is banned:
It may come as a surprise to hear that vaping is banned or heavily restricted in some countries. At the time of writing, the following restrictions were in force:
Asia/Australia:
• In Australia, vaping is allowed, but e-cigs or e-juice containing nicotine have been banned.
• An outright ban of vaping and e-juice in North Korea, Cambodia, Singapore and Indonesia.
• One of the strictest countries is Thailand. Bringing a vape kit or e-liquid into Thailand could lead to imprisonment.
Middle East:
It is illegal to vape in Oman, Qatar and Jordan.
South America:
You may use e-cigs in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, but it is illegal to sell them. While research on e-cigs is still developing, policymakers review all rules and regulations to keep pace with the latest information on vaping's potential health impacts. Different laws apply even in the two of the world's largest vaping markets. It is permitted in the UK, and TRPR regulates all devices to ensure safety and environmental standards are met. Still, it gets complicated in the US as regulations vary state by state.
All bases covered:
Vaping in other parts of the world is unlikely to be as popular as it is in the UK. Some locals in the area may never have seen vaping equipment before. In countries where vaping is restricted (or illegal), local attitudes may be strongly influenced by misleading or inadequate information. You may find yourself the subject of some curious looks and questions. Keep this in mind before you vape in public. It is highly recommended that wherever you are travelling, check local rules before your departure to avoid unpleasant situations.
