Are you one of the lucky people who will soon be travelling abroad? And would you like to bring your E-cigarette too? This little guide contains what you should know before you travel. It covers everything from preparations to specific destinations.
Imagine this: you arrive in fantastic Singapore. You walk through the beautiful streets and enjoy the many sights. You have not used the E-cigarette for a while, so you take it out to vape a little.
You inhale and enjoy the pleasant throat hit before blowing out a fine, dense cloud of vapour. Suddenly, you feel a firm hand on your shoulder. You turn around and see an irritated police officer. Before you understand what is happening, your trip has become almost 2,000 kronor more expensive because of a fine. Ouch…
Since the rules and laws for E-cigarettes vary greatly from country to country, it is important that you know the rules that apply in your destination country before you leave. Otherwise, you risk having your E-cigarette confiscated, receiving a fine or, in the worst case, ending up in prison. The latter almost never happens, however.
This guide exists so that you can avoid irritating situations and fines. Do note, however, that rules and laws can change over time, and you should therefore keep up to date with the local regulations in your destination country. You can start with this guide before your trip.
Can I bring my E-cigarette on a plane?
The short answer is “usually yes”. Most airlines allow you to carry your E-cigarette in your hand luggage on a flight, but it is best to check with your airline before you travel.
In addition, it is usually not a problem to bring small bottles of E-juice on board a flight. They are covered by the famous 100 ml rule. However, you must keep them in a transparent, resealable plastic bag with a capacity of no more than 1 litre, just like your other liquids. Note that only one bag per person is allowed. If you want to bring larger liquid containers, they may not be in your hand luggage.
In addition, several air travellers have experienced their liquid containers starting to leak on a flight because of the pressure in the cabin. So bring a few tissues. The tank should stop leaking as soon as you land.
Can I have my E-cigarette in my checked luggage?
E-cigarette batteries are now prohibited in all checked luggage worldwide. Batteries must therefore be placed in your hand luggage.
Using E-cigarettes on planes
You can forget about that immediately. Almost no airline allows you to use your E-cigarette on board, and you can also forget about trying to vape secretly in the toilet. Smoke alarms on board an aircraft detect everything, and you do not want the plane to make an emergency landing because of you.
Qatar Airways is one of the worst airlines. People have been sent to prison here for using E-cigarettes on flights.
British Airways recently banned the sale of E-cigarettes on flights to Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Dubai because of the local regulations.
Can I use my E-cigarette at the airport?
It can be a little easier here, but only a little. Using an E-cigarette is prohibited at all airports in Sweden and most airports in the rest of the world, and they are treated exactly like cigarettes. However, some airports have lounges or areas where you are allowed to vape, and there are in fact smoking areas at many airports. At airports, the general rule is that you may vape wherever you are also allowed to smoke.
Going through security with an E-cigarette
As mentioned earlier, it is worth noting that the same rules apply to E-liquids as to all other liquids.
Otherwise, there should be no restrictions, and you can calmly take your E-cigarette through the airport security check. Make sure that the battery is charged and that it can be switched on. Some places require this.
Can I take the E-cigarette in transit through a country with a ban?
Usually, it is fine to take the E-cigarette in transit through a country where there is otherwise a ban. This may happen, for example, if you have a stopover in Qatar on your way to Australia. However, it is always a good idea to check with your airline to be completely sure.
Where can I legally vape?
E-cigarettes are prohibited in a number of countries, but in many of these countries the ban is mainly aimed at sellers and not so much at consumers.
If you travel to Indonesia, for example, you will meet many vapers who say that they are allowed to import products for their own use, but that resale is prohibited because of the powerful tobacco lobby.
There are, however, also countries where things are more extreme. In Singapore, for example, you can be fined $200 for using an E-cigarette. In addition, several states in the USA have prohibited the use of E-cigarettes in parks and public places – New York is one example.
Before you travel
Should I remove the battery before travelling?
Yes, it is a good idea to remove the battery from the tank. Also turn off the battery.
Should I bring my own E-juice?
It is a good idea to bring your own E-juice. In many countries, it is either impossible or very difficult to buy E-liquid. In addition, foreign sellers may not meet the same quality standards as those in Scandinavia.
Handling attitudes
Keep in mind that E-cigarettes are not equally widespread throughout the world. In addition, many people in other countries are not as well informed about the product. This may mean that you encounter prejudice or false accusations.
You should therefore always know your facts and be patient. Most people do not object to E-cigarettes, however, and you will actually find that many are positive and interested because they have never seen an E-cigarette before.
Destinations
In the introduction, we promised that we would provide you with a guide explaining possible restrictions in different countries.
Therefore, here is a list explaining the restrictions in some countries Swedes commonly travel to. We would like to remind you again that the rules can change over time and that you must find out for yourself what the current situation is before you travel. We do not want you to have problems on your trip if the information in the list is outdated or if your destination country is not included in the list.
Canada
It should not be a problem to take E-juice through customs. In Canada, it is permitted to have E-juice for personal consumption.
Cyprus
In Cyprus, it is legal to use an E-cigarette and there are no restrictions concerning E-cigarettes. You should, however, bring your own batteries because batteries are very expensive and of low quality in Cyprus.
Egypt
Although E-cigarettes are illegal in the country, vaping is legal. You can therefore do so while you are in the country.
England
In England and the rest of the United Kingdom, vaping is completely legal.
France
In France, E-cigarettes are also legal, but there may be restrictions in public places. Sometimes there are signs and similar notices referring to this. In parks, on the beach and so on, bans are quite common.
Greece
Vaping is legal in Greece. There are no restrictions, and you can vape without problems.
Holland
This is probably almost obvious to many. In Holland, E-cigarettes are naturally legal. You do not need to worry here.
Italy
Not many people in Italy use E-cigarettes, but there are no restrictions on them either.
Croatia
In Croatia, it is prohibited to use E-cigarettes in public spaces. If you want to vape in Croatia, you must therefore do so privately. However, many people report that the law is not always followed.
Malta
E-cigarettes are legal on the small island. However, they are treated like all other tobacco products, and it is therefore not permitted to use them in restaurants and similar places.
Morocco
The legislation concerning E-cigarettes in Morocco is fairly unclear, but many people who travel there report that it is not a problem to use an E-cigarette in the country. It should therefore also be possible to take the E-cigarette through the airport.
Norway
E-cigarettes and accessories are legal in Norway. However, the sale of E-juice containing nicotine is illegal, so you should bring your own if you wish to vape nicotine E-juice while in Norway.
South Africa
The same applies in South Africa. E-cigarettes are legal, but the sale of E-juice containing nicotine is illegal. So bring your own E-juice when travelling to South Africa, even though nicotine E-juice is nevertheless sold illegally in the country.
Spain
In Spain, it is legal to use an E-cigarette. However, there are many public places where vaping is not allowed. You should therefore find out about the rules in the city you are travelling to.
Thailand
In Thailand, it is prohibited to import E-juice or E-cigarettes.
Tunisia
The law concerning E-cigarettes is unclear in Tunisia. Unfortunately, we cannot provide any information about this.
Germany
E-cigarettes are completely legal in Germany.
USA
Looking at the USA as a whole, E-cigarettes are legal. However, every municipality and every state has the possibility of making its own rules concerning them. You should therefore find out the relevant information from the state you are travelling to before you leave.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, E-cigarettes and E-juice are legal. However, people in the country are not particularly accustomed to E-cigarettes, so it could be difficult to find spare parts and E-juice there.
Austria
Previously, it was prohibited to use E-cigarettes in Austria, but the law was recently changed. You can therefore now use your E-cigarette in Austria as well.
