No need to fret when travelling - we’re here with our handy guide of do’s and don’ts of travelling with your vape kits. Whether you’re away for business or pleasure, we’ve compiled a handy guide to globe-trotting with your trusty e-cig in safety.
Secure the bag
In terms of both domestic and international flights, travellers are required to store batteries and e-cigarettes in hand luggage rather than checked hold baggage.
Different countries have different regulations around disposable vapes, whether it’s an outright ban or merely just a maximum amount you can travel with. Generally, 15 - 20 vapes can be taken as part of your carry on luggage, but must be contained in a clear ziplock bag due to the e-liquid within the consignment itself.
The majority of disposable vapes are made up of various plastic and metal materials which mean they will definitely go off when you walk through a metal detector. This means they will have to be boxed and scanned along with any electricals, coats, bags and shoes.
If travelling with Tanks or Mods, the safest bet is to ensure everything is turned off and all parts are disconnected. Keep all parts in sealed plastic bags to avoid any leakage for the duration of your flight.
Don’t Vape and Fly
E-cigarette use is widely disallowed indoors, and airports are no exception. As with most public communal areas, there will be a designated smoking area in which smokers and vapers will be able to congregate to soothe their nicotine needs.
Hotel Vape-scapades
Although smoking is widely outlawed indoors, vape rules can vary depending where you stay. You never know what fees could be incurred or how sensitive smoke alarms are, so it’s always best to double check with a member of staff before proceeding to vape indoors.
Countries where Vaping is Prohibited
Internationally, there are varied opinions on vaping generally - with a number of countries outlawing the practice entirely regardless of potential harm reduction or smoking cessation.
Thailand
It’s public knowledge that Thailand is the number 1 worst place to be caught with a vape, with Thai police blocking roads to catch vape users and slamming down a hefty fine to those who do get caught. Since 2014, Thailand has proactively banned the import, export, sale and possession of vape products, with those caught having their items confiscated, receiving fines or even serving up to 10 years jail time.
Qatar
With almost identical rulings as Thailand, Vape Products have been strictly outlawed since 2014 with users facing up to three months in prison or a $2,500 fine.
India (State of Punjab)
Vape laws are a wishy-washy state of affairs nationwide, with proposed Bans being raised and retracted. With the conflicting nature of vape legality across India, we can definitively confirm that the current enforced ban outlaws any vape use within Punjab, with those risking use facing fines and possible imprisonment.
Singapore
There are incredibly strict rules surrounding vaping and vape products, to the extent that any device that so much as mimics the act of smoking is outlawed entirely. If caught with any such device, you can be fined up to $2000 and anyone caught purchasing or importing vape products into Singapore will face serious prison sentencing.
Hong Kong
Despite being an integral part of the Vape-Haven that is China, the irony of Hong Kong's vape ban is not lost on us. And these laws are not to be taken lightly, with users caught being fined over £10k alongside a two year stint in Hong Kong prison.
Taiwan
Taiwanese drug laws heavily regulate the sale and use of vape products, where individuals aren’t so much as allowed to carry e-liquid or e-cigarettes into Taiwan - even if you’re merely stopping in Taiwan as a layover, you must declare vapes to customs or face potential prosecution.
Cambodia
Vape Bans so serious, they ruled it TWICE! The Cambodian double ban primarily focuses on the sale of vapes more so than possession. Although you don’t get arrested or fined for vaping in Cambodia, devices will be confiscated but more rebellious vape tourists still chance it by taking inexpensive devices along with them.
Australia
Australia is a mildly less serious one in the respect that nicotine vapes can be used, but only when accompanied by a doctor’s prescription. Any vape user caught without one could face fines of up to a whopping £125k and in some states even face two years prison time, and bogan jail is not where you want to be.
Countries where vaping is prohibited in public
Although no outright ban is enforced, there are some countries that outlaw public vaping, much the same as they outlaw public smoking. If you’re caught vaping in public in these countries, you risk retribution in some form so it’s best to stick to clearly sign-posted designated smoking areas to be safe. The following 14 countries are ones to be wary of:
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Costa Rica
- Guyana
- Iran
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Russia
- Syria
- United Arab Emirates (inc. Dubai)
- Uruguay
Final checks before you head off
We recommend that prior to your departure, you charge your devices fully and stock up on your favourite e-liquids before you leave - especially if you’re travelling somewhere remote or where vaping hasn’t quite popped off yet.
For short trips, we advise packing light with the vapes so as not to raise suspicion at security which could delay your travel. It’s best to only pack as many vapes as you expect to need.
Always remember to vape respectfully wherever your destination may be - vaping is not universally accepted and as a visitor to someone else’s country it’s best to always be as respectful as possible of social structures around smoking and vaping.
The last thing to remember is to NEVER leave your e-liquids or vapes in the sun as the heat, light and hot air can affect the molecules in your vape juice and ruin the flavour and therefore your experience.
