Vaping is one of the hottest topics that the whole world debate over. Some countries are liberal enough to give them value equal to traditional cigars whereas some opt for banning its sale.
Electronic cigars can be safer than the traditional ones. However, we can’t deny the fact that the devices still carry toxic substances that harm our lungs, heart, bladder, and brain. They also manage to affect nature and its creatures. We have found out in different vape blogs that there’s a risk of explosion as well. All these are enough reasons to ban vaping.
However, many countries have left doors a little open to allow vaping with some restrictions.
Let’s say you’re a heavy vaper and planning to travel to places. In that case, it’s important to know about the country’s regulations on vapes. Otherwise, you may end up facing punishments.
Key Points: Countries Where Vaping Is Illegal
- As of 2023, WHO reports that 34 countries have made the use of vapes illegal.
- These include Argentina, Brazil, Singapore, India, and the latest New Zealand.
- It’s mostly because of the bad impact of vaping on our organs and environment.
34 Countries That Banned the Sale of Vapes
A 2023 report by World Health Organization mentions 34 countries that banned the sale of vapes. Here’s a complete list of all those countries where vaping is illegal.
[source: WHO]
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Why Vaping Is Illegal? – 2 Major Reasons
Vaping is illegal because it causes damage to the lungs, hearts, and brains of people pollutes nature, and affects animals, marine life, and plants.
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Health Risks
Even though vapes are comparatively less harmful than cigarettes, you can’t escape from their toxicity. E-liquids have different toxic chemicals like addictive nicotine, 2-chlorophenol, amino acid, benzaldehyde, formaldehyde, toluene, acetaldehyde, and acrolein. Not only do they get inside you through your mouth but also through your nose.
As soon as these chemicals reach your organs, they can end up with many health hazards like severe inflammations in the liver, bladder, lungs, breast, and stomach, damage to those organs as well as cancer. Some other problems include cough, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, and fever.
You may experience the issues right away or they can develop over time. Because the devices can be extremely deadly for your health, the government bans vapes.
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Pollution
Vaping devices have complex components like batteries, electronic circuits, atomizers, and non-biodegradable plastic and metal parts. Such parts and materials are quite tough to recycle efficiently.
When you dump these vapes improperly, they go straight to landfills where a big pile of e-waste is generated. There the chemicals get a chance to leach into the soil, air, and water which pollute the environment and pose serious threats to animals, marine life, and plants.
The United States throws away 4.5 disposable vapes every second, as per a report. And they also have to deal with 7.6 million tons of e-waste every year. Owing to these adverse effects on nature, some countries have banned vapes.
So, it’s high time we develop effective policies, recycling programs, and proper disposal methods so we can mitigate such environmental impacts.
Why Is Vaping Banned But Not Cigarettes?
Let’s face the harsh truth! Cigarettes aren’t banned because governments make a lot of money out of tobacco which vapes can’t offer.
Vaping has emerged just two decades back. It’s quite new and their audience isn’t as deep-rooted in culture as the cigarettes.
So, it becomes easy for the government to regulate it the way they like. Not just that, vapes also carry extra problems apart from health risks and environmental impacts. A very severe one is the explosion that results in injury. These issues have triggered some governments to put bans on vapes.
When it comes to traditional cigars, they have been around since 16th century.
So, you’ll find a big loyal customer base behind them. Moreover, they have a global demand and significant market share that help the countries earn big money.
In 2023, tobacco taxes brought around $58.6 billion in the United States.
Despite having a huge health cost related to smoking, which is around $300 billion each year, the government still allows cigarettes. It’s just because of the revenue and old culture.
Although the government tries to discourage smoking by imposing heavy taxes, some of us still have money to spend on it.
Which Countries Can You Vape?These are the list of countries where vaping is legal: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dubai (UAE), El Salvador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Maldives, Malta, Morocco, Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Ukraine and Vietnam. These are the countries where you can vape but there are some restrictions: Canada, Japan, South Africa, and the USA. |
What Did The World Health Organization Say About Vaping?
World Health Organization issued a “Call to Action” on Electronic Cigarettes in 2023 and highlighted 4 key points. They have stressed the need for urgent and strong measures so that they can reduce or prevent the use of vaping. The only goal is: to protect children, weak people, non-smokers, and everyone.
If you check out the document, you’ll find these WHO vaping recommendations:
For countries that ban vapes
- Make the enforcement of the ban stronger
- Continue surveilling the entire scenario
- Collect data to support public health measures
For countries that allow the sale of e-cigarettes
- Implement strong regulations that work to make them less appealing and harmful.
- Ban flavors containing toxic substances and chemicals.
- Limit the nicotine concentration and quality.
For all countries
- Combine these actions with measures
- Make sure to help current tobacco users quit
- Use proven methods like advice from healthcare workers, and experts, free quit lines, digital services, mobile apps, and approved therapies.
Punishments and Legal Consequences of Vaping
- Punishments for violating vaping laws and policies vary depending on countries, areas, and other factors. It’s mostly prohibited for anyone under 18-21.
- In case someone catches you vaping being a teen below 17, they can send you to juvenile jail. There can also be fines of around $100-$2500 and community service.
- If you sell vaping products to minors under 21, there will be a fine of $100 for the first time and $2500 for the third. This is a law in some of areas of the United States.
- In Thailand, owning a vape can result in jail sentences of up to 5 years and/or fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Country Vapes The Most?
According to statistics by MPower Wellness, the United States has the highest population with 9 million who regularly vape. It’s followed by the United Kingdom with 3 million and France with 2.4 million.
In How Many Countries Vaping Is Illegal?
Vaping is illegal in 34 countries as of the last Vape ban update in 2024.
Is Vaping Popular In Asia?
Yes, vaping is quite popular in Asia. Studies found that the number of Asian vapers is increasing each year. For instance, the use of vapes increased by more than 700% from 2016 to 2017 in Malaysia. In the Philippines, 14.1% of adolescents vape whereas it’s 6.2% for Pakistan.
Which Country Invented Vape?
Hon Lik, a pharmacist and smoker invented vaping in Beijing, China in 2003.
Isn’t it interesting! Despite being less harmful than cigarettes, vapes can put you into legal trouble in some places. The figure is pretty big.