In addition to its proven and
possible health benefits, vaping allows many
options that smoking does not. You can decide how much or how little
nicotine you want or leave it out completely. There is an endless amount of
flavor combinations to suit your mood and taste. And the vaping devices can be
customized to suit your style. One of the main benefits that vaping offers that
traditional cigarettes do not is more choices of where you can use them.
However, when looking at vaping around the world, there may be a few places on
the different continents where you must leave your device in its case. In some
places, it is not that you can't vape, but there may not be regulations, so the
hardware, e-liquids, and/or accessories are not sold in the local stores.
Vaping in South America
Here in the United States, vape products are allowed, but there are laws put into place to prevent selling to minors, even if the e-juice doesn't contain tobacco. Selling from vending machines is forbidden as are free samples. An ID must be supplied by anyone buying a vape product who claims to be between 18 and 27 years of age. Also, in many places the same rules apply for vaping as smoking. So, you will often find that you can't smoke in enclosed public areas, especially restaurants and bars or in open public areas where smoking is banned.
The case in Rio, Brazil is that it is illegal to sell vapes and accessories there. So, if you are there with your vaping device and you want to replace or buy liquid or accessories for it, then you might have to try to get it online.
In Argentina, it’s been illegal to import, sell, or advertise vaping products since 2011. This may be because it would interfere with the country's huge cigarette market. The official statement is that they don't believe there is enough scientific evidence proving that it is safe. Using an e-cigarette however seems to be OK, but it is just not a guarantee that you will be able to find one there.
In Bolivia, it is unclear whether vaping is not allowed or if it just can't be marketed, so bring your own supply if you cannot go without it, and hope for the best.
Vaping in Africa
In Africa, it is largely unclear whether vaping is legal in some countries. In Kenya, they are legal, and in Zimbabwe it is legal.
In South Africa, vaping is all the rage with more people quitting smoking and turning to vaping. Non-nicotine vaping is encouraged over using an e-cig containing nicotine, which is officially not allowed. You can still buy them, but at your own risk of course. In Egypt, e-cigs are banned, but vaping is not.
Vaping in Australia
Australia allows vaping as well as the buying and selling of the products and accessories, so long as no nicotine is involved. However, you can still order e-liquids online and have them delivered to you there. Officially, it has been announced that the ban on e-cigs will continue in 2017. The opinions of health experts are divided on this, however. Some say that vaping could lead to cigarette smoking, and others think it is a good way to quit smoking. This has been proven by the thousands of ex-smokers who turned to vaping to help them quit.
Vaping in Europe
In Europe it is legal to vape, but there are clear guidelines in place. These laws came into effect or began being more heavily upheld as of May 2017. Nicotine liquids over 20mg or L in strength will be banned unless you get it by prescription as will refill bottles containing more than 10ml. The prices on vaping products have gone up or will go up in cost, and this could lead to more people being reluctant to switch to vaping and saving their health.
Oddly, in Finland, the only e-liquids allowed are the tobacco flavors, and it is illegal to order over the internet.
In Russia, it is either allowed or unclear. In some areas, the sale and use of vapes containing nicotine are not allowed.
Vaping in Asia
In Asia, the laws vary. It is officially banned in Indonesia, but there are vape cafes, and they are sold publicly. You probably don't have to worry if you pack a supply in your luggage that's going under the plane, but do this at your own risk because some people have had their supply confiscated.
In Afghanistan, vaping is legal. In Iraq, it is unclear, and in Iran it is unclear but seems to be banned. In India, vaping is legal.
In China, even though this is the main country that produces e-liquid, it is illegal, and you could be fined. E-cigs are legal though just without the nicotine.
In Hong Kong, it is illegal to sell, use, or possess e-cigs containing nicotine.
In Japan, there is a ban on the sale of nicotine refills for e-cigs. Everything else is allowed.
In Malaysia, e-cigs will become legal after a complete ban previously. The entire industry will be monitored closely to ensure the quality and lower the risk of products that are hazardous to health. What this means though is that buying and selling vape products over the internet may be put to an end. Also, e-liquids containing nicotine will only be accessible through a doctor's prescription. In Singapore, it is completely illegal to sell, import, or even use vaping devices personally. So, if you want to pack a personal supply in your luggage that is not likely to be searched, do so at your own risk because these laws are heavily enforced.
US Vape Companies That Export
Vape companies in the United States that ship to other countries may notice restrictions in some countries, and their shipments to customers will have to meet the laws of that country, but there is still a place in the market for them. In some cases, they may only be able to sell certain size refills or restricted levels of nicotine. Also, by 2018, a label will be required on the outside of the package stating the contents of the package. The recipient will have to show age verification when signing for the package. Products exported overseas cannot be the same products sold in the U.S..
From the evidence gathered, it seems clear that where vaping is not allowed, it is because:
Vaping in South America
Here in the United States, vape products are allowed, but there are laws put into place to prevent selling to minors, even if the e-juice doesn't contain tobacco. Selling from vending machines is forbidden as are free samples. An ID must be supplied by anyone buying a vape product who claims to be between 18 and 27 years of age. Also, in many places the same rules apply for vaping as smoking. So, you will often find that you can't smoke in enclosed public areas, especially restaurants and bars or in open public areas where smoking is banned.
The case in Rio, Brazil is that it is illegal to sell vapes and accessories there. So, if you are there with your vaping device and you want to replace or buy liquid or accessories for it, then you might have to try to get it online.
In Argentina, it’s been illegal to import, sell, or advertise vaping products since 2011. This may be because it would interfere with the country's huge cigarette market. The official statement is that they don't believe there is enough scientific evidence proving that it is safe. Using an e-cigarette however seems to be OK, but it is just not a guarantee that you will be able to find one there.
In Bolivia, it is unclear whether vaping is not allowed or if it just can't be marketed, so bring your own supply if you cannot go without it, and hope for the best.
Vaping in Africa
In Africa, it is largely unclear whether vaping is legal in some countries. In Kenya, they are legal, and in Zimbabwe it is legal.
In South Africa, vaping is all the rage with more people quitting smoking and turning to vaping. Non-nicotine vaping is encouraged over using an e-cig containing nicotine, which is officially not allowed. You can still buy them, but at your own risk of course. In Egypt, e-cigs are banned, but vaping is not.
Vaping in Australia
Australia allows vaping as well as the buying and selling of the products and accessories, so long as no nicotine is involved. However, you can still order e-liquids online and have them delivered to you there. Officially, it has been announced that the ban on e-cigs will continue in 2017. The opinions of health experts are divided on this, however. Some say that vaping could lead to cigarette smoking, and others think it is a good way to quit smoking. This has been proven by the thousands of ex-smokers who turned to vaping to help them quit.
Vaping in Europe
In Europe it is legal to vape, but there are clear guidelines in place. These laws came into effect or began being more heavily upheld as of May 2017. Nicotine liquids over 20mg or L in strength will be banned unless you get it by prescription as will refill bottles containing more than 10ml. The prices on vaping products have gone up or will go up in cost, and this could lead to more people being reluctant to switch to vaping and saving their health.
Oddly, in Finland, the only e-liquids allowed are the tobacco flavors, and it is illegal to order over the internet.
In Russia, it is either allowed or unclear. In some areas, the sale and use of vapes containing nicotine are not allowed.
Vaping in Asia
In Asia, the laws vary. It is officially banned in Indonesia, but there are vape cafes, and they are sold publicly. You probably don't have to worry if you pack a supply in your luggage that's going under the plane, but do this at your own risk because some people have had their supply confiscated.
In Afghanistan, vaping is legal. In Iraq, it is unclear, and in Iran it is unclear but seems to be banned. In India, vaping is legal.
In China, even though this is the main country that produces e-liquid, it is illegal, and you could be fined. E-cigs are legal though just without the nicotine.
In Hong Kong, it is illegal to sell, use, or possess e-cigs containing nicotine.
In Japan, there is a ban on the sale of nicotine refills for e-cigs. Everything else is allowed.
In Malaysia, e-cigs will become legal after a complete ban previously. The entire industry will be monitored closely to ensure the quality and lower the risk of products that are hazardous to health. What this means though is that buying and selling vape products over the internet may be put to an end. Also, e-liquids containing nicotine will only be accessible through a doctor's prescription. In Singapore, it is completely illegal to sell, import, or even use vaping devices personally. So, if you want to pack a personal supply in your luggage that is not likely to be searched, do so at your own risk because these laws are heavily enforced.
US Vape Companies That Export
Vape companies in the United States that ship to other countries may notice restrictions in some countries, and their shipments to customers will have to meet the laws of that country, but there is still a place in the market for them. In some cases, they may only be able to sell certain size refills or restricted levels of nicotine. Also, by 2018, a label will be required on the outside of the package stating the contents of the package. The recipient will have to show age verification when signing for the package. Products exported overseas cannot be the same products sold in the U.S..
From the evidence gathered, it seems clear that where vaping is not allowed, it is because:
1) No one has put enough thought
into looking deeper into it and creating regulations.
2) It is a threat to the country's
tobacco deals.
3) It could be hazardous to your
health or dangerous. There have been some reports of explosions, though this is
rare and is usually due to poorly assembled devices or cheap products.
4) Only brands are allowed that have
setup a business deal with the country as is the case in South Korea where only
certain brands of e-cigarettes are banned while others can be purchased and
used there.
References:
Australia 2017 vape laws: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-02/e-cigarette-ban-to-continue-in-australia:-tga/8236808
USA 2017 vaping laws: http://fdaregs.info/fda-deeming-regulations/timeline/
http://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/klbk-news/new-fda-regulations-for-smoke-vape-shops-take-effect-monday/524203890
Rio, Brazil 2017 vaping laws: https://www.mappingmegan.com/vaping-and-airports/
South Africa 2017 vape laws: http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/is-south-africas-strong-stance-on-smoking-set-to-cover-e-cigarettes-too-20160811
Europe vape laws: https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/3364643/what-the-new-vaping-laws-really-mean-and-how-they-could-impact-on-a-smokers-health/
Malaysia 2017 vape laws: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/e-cigarette-regulation-good-news-for-vapers
Australia 2017 vape laws: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-02/e-cigarette-ban-to-continue-in-australia:-tga/8236808
USA 2017 vaping laws: http://fdaregs.info/fda-deeming-regulations/timeline/
http://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/klbk-news/new-fda-regulations-for-smoke-vape-shops-take-effect-monday/524203890
Rio, Brazil 2017 vaping laws: https://www.mappingmegan.com/vaping-and-airports/
South Africa 2017 vape laws: http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/is-south-africas-strong-stance-on-smoking-set-to-cover-e-cigarettes-too-20160811
Europe vape laws: https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/3364643/what-the-new-vaping-laws-really-mean-and-how-they-could-impact-on-a-smokers-health/
Malaysia 2017 vape laws: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/e-cigarette-regulation-good-news-for-vapers
