Holiday Problems
With the holiday season approaching, vapers still run the risk of breaking the law if they take their kit to some popular destinations
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by Dave Cross
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Vapes in Australia
Oz is a long way to go only to discover you may have problems with vaping. The country decided to introduce legislation preventing the sale of nicotine containing vapes back in 2021 and now the only way to buy legal nicotine e-liquid is by getting a prescription from a GP.
Don’t think this is a potential solution when you’re there, Australians are struggling to find GPs willing to fill prescriptions for them, which has caused a black market in illegal products to flourish.
If you arrive at customs with your regular vape kit and juice, you too will need to provide a current prescription – something you may find hard to come by in the UK as we don’t need one.
Potential penalties include fines and possible prison.
Vapes in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has banned the sale of vapes although you will still find plenty of places selling them given that they transit through HK. Currently, you can still vape legally in certain areas and the advice is best stick to the smoking zones.
Where it gets tricky is that importation is banned – technically this means that you aren’t allowed to arrive with your own kit. POTV is yet to hear of people having their vapes confiscated but that doesn’t mean this doesn’t happen.
Vapes in India
Theoretically, you aren’t allowed to bring your kit in with you on the plane. A 2019 ban is meant to be countrywide, but you can still see vaping taking place and simple devices for sale. Official advice is “Just Don’t”.
Vapes in Japan
Vaping is legal-ish, but you are restricted to bringing 120ml of juice with you and one device – and any amount over that needs you to produce a medical certificate.
Vapes in Mexico
Mexico is the new kid on the banned block. All liquids and devices are banned and that means you can’t carry them in your luggage or use them in the country. The ban also extends to smoking in most areas tourists would stay or visit so it might be a good idea to stock up on patches, gums, and nicotine pouches.
Vapes in Qatar
As we reported during last year’s World Cup – vaping is completely banned and you are not allowed to arrive on your flight with anything.
Vapes in Singapore
Unsurprisingly, the country with the longest list of banned products in the world also takes a tough stance on electronic cigarettes and vaping.
Buying, owning vape products, or engaging in the act of vaping will land you a fine of up to £1250.
Vapes in Thailand
Thailand has banned vaping more times than any other country but the latest one has actually caught on – mainly because the police realised it would be a great way of extorting bribes from travellers.
Ostensibly, vapers run the risk of a £750 fine for possession – but in reality the amount you pay your friendly officer will be negotiable according to reports.
Devices can be seen on sale and vaping takes place in large numbers but, unlike cannabis use, the military decided ‘getting tough’ would work while it has completely failed with their drug war.
Asking for a receipt for your bribe will almost certainly lead to you spending time in jail. The advice of locals appears to be, if you choose to ignore the UK Government and the Thai Tourist Authority’s advice, vape very discretely.
Vapes in Taiwan
You are allowed to have vape equipment on you if you are transiting through the airport – but you have to declare them, have them confiscated, and collect them before departure.
Other than that, it’s a complete no-no on owning products or vaping.
Photo Credit:
Image by Sathish kumar Periyasamy from Pixabay
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
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