Summer is no doubt the most popular time of the year to head abroad, and after two years of limited travel, holidaymakers are making the most of their freedom and booking trips left, right and centre. However, if you are a vaper and love nothing more than using your e-cigarette, you need to be aware the rules on vaping are different in every country.
One of the most popular destinations among young backpackers for the last 20 years has been Thailand. Indeed, the South-east Asian country is as popular today as it was when the 2000 hit movie The Beach was shot there, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tilda Swinton, and Robert Carlyle.
But if you’re heading to one of Thailand’s tropical islands for a chilled break by the sea or to experience its famous Full Moon Parties, it is worth remembering that it imposes one of the worst fines for vaping in the world, The Travel Magazine reported.
Tourists can be charged up to 30,000 baht (£700) for possessing an e-cigarette in Thailand. In extreme cases, they could even be sent to prison for ten years. The government banned vaping in 2014, but not many tourists are aware of the law and have faced on-the-spot fines as a result.
The Royal Thai Embassy in London says: “Travellers coming to Thailand are advised not to bring any electronic cigarettes with them, nor any item or equipment associated with e-cigarettes, such as, the liquid used in the device.”
Singapore is another place that has banned electronic cigarettes, and anyone found with vaping liquid or equipment could face a fine of S$2,000 (£1,200), which is enough to make a substantial dent in anyone’s holiday budget!
Those travelling to Qatar have to pay even steeper charges, as vapers are fined 10,000 riyals (£2,200) if they are caught there. Alternatively, they might have to spend three months in prison. This is something the thousands of people heading to the Qatar 2022 World Cup at the end of this year should be aware of, before they end up having to pay a fortune in fines.
Other countries where vaping is illegal include Cambodia, Myanmar, the Vatican city, Bangladesh, East Timor, Nicaragua, Syria and North Korea, so backpackers, in particular, should be aware of this list before they land.
Lots of package holidays to Turkey are yet to take place this summer, but tourists should be aware that while vaping is not illegal here, buying and selling e-liquids are. Therefore, it is wise to purchase your vaping kits before you jet off, so you have enough to last the duration of your trip. It is also worth noting that wherever there are smoking restrictions, such as in public places, these apply to electronic devices too.
Australia is also a country with confusing rules on vaping. Its recent crackdown on e-cigarettes means that residents cannot import, carry, or use e-liquids that contain nicotine unless they want to pay a hefty fine of up to A$222,000 (£150,000).
It is ambiguous whether this applies to tourists as well, though it is not worth risking it just in case.
Wherever you plan on travelling to this summer, make sure you check out the laws on smoking e-cigarettes, so you can pack your suitcase accordingly.
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