Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, are battery-operated devices that simulate smoking. They were invented in 2003 by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik and patented in 2007. E-cigarettes consist of three parts: two metal cylinders containing batteries and electronic circuits; a cartridge containing liquid nicotine, solvents, and flavourings; and an atomizer with a heating element (Hon Lik).
As of today, there are 330 million vapers worldwide. Despite so many people enjoying this new technology, certain governments have decided to ban it. Some of these bans still come as a surprise due to how popular vaping has become in recent years. Some places where the general population supports e-cigarettes, but their elected officials don't listen to them.
However, due to some negative facts about electronic cigarettes reported by media outlets over the years, many countries have banned them out rightly or imposed strict regulations on their use. What countries ban vaping? Which country has the worst anti-vaping law?
Countries in which e cigarettes are banned
The electronic cigarette is an alternative to a regular cigarette that doesn't allow people who smoke it to cause harm or danger to others. It is a healthier option that doesn't cause cancer as it releases vapors and does not smoke, which causes lung damage. They are battery-operated devices that help smokers quit smoking by reducing their nicotine dependence with time until they stop entirely.
Smoking electronic cigarettes is a better option than regular cigarettes. It eliminates all the dangerous chemicals from tobacco and allows people who smoke to reduce their nicotine consumption without changing its amount gradually over time until they stop entirely.
But more than 40 countries prohibit the use of vaping outright. Several countries have banned the importation and sale of e-liquid and the use of e-cigarettes.
A ban may be in place, but the punishments are not severe in some areas. However, even possessing an e-cigarette can result in significant penalties in other jurisdictions, such as jail time and a hefty fine.
Even though e-cigarettes are illegal to sell or import in most countries on this list, most allow the use of vaporizers. However, this is not the case for all countries; a list of those bringing an e-cig into the country is illegal is provided below.
Thailand – As some of the world's harshest penalties for vaping, In Thailand, e-cigarettes are banned, according to the electronic cigarette convention of the Thai foreign office. If found guilty, you could face a fine of up to $10,000 or ten years in prison. You could face up to five years in prison if found guilty of selling or distributing them.
Australia – Even though the country does not explicitly prohibit the use of e-cigarettes, Australia has effectively imposed one. E-liquid containing nicotine is illegal to sell or import.
Lebanon – E-cigarettes are completely banned.
Japan – It is not permitted to use e-liquids that contain nicotine. It is banned by proxy.
Singapore – It's completely banned. One can be fined up to $1500 for possessing illegal vaping.
Qatar – E-cigarettes are completely banned.
Argentina – The local regulatory authority has banned the sale, importation, and manufacture of e-cigarettes. The National Clinical Practice Guideline for Tobacco Cessation has also discouraged its use.
N.Korea – In N. Korea, it is completely banned.
Brazil – No e-cigarettes of any kind can be sold, imported, or advertised. E-cigarettes have yet to receive commercial approval in Brazil due to inadequate health safety assessments, according to Anvisa, the country's federal agency in charge of health and sanitation.
Palestine – Electronic cigarettes are not yet subject to any rules, but the Palestinian National Authority banned the sale.
Panama – Since June of 2009, the sale, distribution, and importation of e-cigarettes have been banned. For the ban, the Ministry of Health points to FDA findings.
Gambia – It is completely banned.
Turkey – Inconsistent rules apply to electronic cigarette sales. However, sales are not banned.
Nicaragua – It is completely banned.
India – Since the electronic cigarette convention of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), e-cigarettes are banned.
Iran – It is against the law to sell or distribute electronic cigarettes.
Cambodia – In Cambodia, e-cigarettes are completely banned.
Vatican City – It is completely banned.
Few more countries in which e-cigarettes are banned.
- Antigua
- Barbuda
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Bhutan
- Brunei Darussalam
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ethiopia
- Kuwait
- Lao PDR
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Nepal
- Oman
- Seychelles
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname
- Syria
- Timor-Leste
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Are e-cigarettes banned in your country?
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Many countries where e-cigarette use is prohibited have high smoking rates. In 2019, India became the latest country to impose a ban on vaping. Tobacco use kills nearly a million Indians each year, but despite this, the WHO condemns e-cigarettes, and many of these countries follow the organization's advisories to the letter.
