Everything you need to know about taking your vape away with you.
Holiday season is just around the corner! But, with jetting off can come with some challenges for vapers. So, let’s take a deep dive into which destinations allow the use of ecigs as well as a few tips about vaping on holiday.
Vaping on holiday – What to take with you.
Before you take to the skies, you need to make sure you have everything you’ll need for the duration of the holiday.
Not every country is going to have the brands for sale that you use. In fact, some destinations have outright banned the sale of vaping products, even though it’s still legal to use them.
Here’s a handy checklist of vaping essentials to pack.
Coils/Pods – Make sure that you pack all of the coils or pods that you need. Actually, pack extra just in case.
E-liquid – This is a given. You’ll need enough liquid to last you, plus enough in case you lose a bottle or two.
Spare Batteries – Whether your kit uses removable batteries or an internal one, it’s always a good idea to take a spare.
Spare Tank & Glass – If you have a more traditional e-cigarette, it’s a good idea to take a spare tank and glass.
Charger & Cables – You’re going to need to charge your vape. A great idea is to take some spare cables with you, in case one fails.
Disposables – All the prep-work in the world can’t account for some issues. If your kit does break then a disposable is a cheap and effective back-up. Also, disposables are great for situations when you don’t want to take your kit with you because it’s too valuable or bulky.
Power Banks – Portable chargers are a fantastic idea for when you’re on holiday. Not just for your e-cig, they can top up any device that needs charging. Just make sure that you have the right cables with you and check the power output for compatibility.
Other NRTs – If you’re in a situation where you can’t vape, such as on a plane. Lozenges and nicotine gum are a great way to satisfy any immediate cravings.
Can I take my vape on a plane?
Absolutely! But, it’s important to note that airlines like you to store different vaping elements in different places.
Each airline has its own rules, so it’s best to check before you fly. The general consensus is that the device should be in your hand luggage along with any batteries. This includes disposables, which all contain one. Most airlines allow 15-20 batteries to be carried in your hand luggage.
In terms of e-liquid, most airlines allow you to take it in your hand luggage. As long as bottles don’t exceed 100ml in total (they count towards your liquid allowance). The rest can be stored in your hold bags.
A great tip from our customer service advisor, Natasha, is to put your vape in a clear ziplock bag. Some airlines make you do this anyway, along with any liquids. But, if your vape does leak because of the change in pressure then it won’t end up all over your bag.
When you get to the airport, you might be looking forward to one last vape before you fly. But, some UK airports don’t have anywhere to vape after you’ve gone through security.
UK airports with NO departure lounge vaping.
UK airports with departure lounge vaping.
- Belfast (costs £1 to use the smoking area)
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Cardiff
- Dublin (Terminal 1)
- Newcastle
- Leeds Bradford Airport
- Liverpool
- Manchester (Terminal 1 & 2)
Can you vape on a plane?
Definitely not. We never recommend trying to break the rules for a sneaky vape when flying. If you’re on a long-haul flight then maybe try nicotine pouches such as Zyn while in the air.
Vaping around the world.
Of course you want to take your vape on holiday. But, not every country is as open towards vaping as the UK. In some countries vaping is heavily restricted, while in others it’s actually illegal. In these places you could have all of your e-cigs and liquid confiscated. Also, you could be fined or even arrested!
Countries with a ban on the sale of Vaping products:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Hong Kong
- India
- Lebanon
- Panama
- Turkey
- Uruguay
Countries with an outright ban on vaping:
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Jordan
- Mexico
- Qatar
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Venezuela
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular holiday destinations and see what vaping restrictions are in place.
Spain
In Spain, vaping restrictions generally follow the same rules as smoking.
However, some exceptions exist. Vaping isn’t permitted in schools, public administration offices, public law buildings, health centres, public transport, maritime transport, and children’s playgrounds.
There are vape shops spread across Spain, especially in major cities. Also, since they’re in the EU e-liquid and products follow similar TPD standards as the UK.
USA
Different states have their own rules and regulations. As a whole, the act of vaping is treated the same as smoking. As long as you’re outside then you should be fine.
When travelling to America your e-cigarette products must be packed in your hand luggage. You can take no more than 20 batteries on board and e-liquids must not exceed 100ml.
Further in the USA flavoured e-cigarettes are banned so if you enjoy a fruity flavour be sure to stock up for your travels.
France
Again, since France is a member of the EU, its stance on vaping is generally positive. You can vape in most outside areas and in shisha bars.
There are plenty of vape shops spread across the country, if you do run out of supplies while you’re there.
Italy
As Italy is another EU destination, it is a safe place to vape. One thing to note is that both smoking and vaping are banned within the walls of Vatican City.
You can purchase vape supplies from stores across the country. Obviously, they are more common in bigger cities and popular tourist spots.
Greece
Greece follows the same TPD regulations as the rest of the EU, however there is one main difference. Vapes that contain no nicotine are prohibited and so is buying e-liquid components. That means if you mix your own e-liquid, you’re going to have to take plenty with you.
Portugal
Another TPD compliant country. Vaping is fine wherever you can smoke and there aren’t any extra laws and restrictions in place. They do have an extra tax on e-liquids though, so if you do have to re-supply then you’re going to find it a little more expensive than in the UK.
Germany
This is the last EU destination on the list. Again, vaping is fine wherever smoking is permitted. Germany is extremely supportive of vaping, however there are plans to implement expensive taxes on e-liquids.
There are plenty of vape shops across the country and shortfill is a very popular choice for German vapers. There are even Totally Wicked stores across the country!
Australia
Australia is not vape friendly, and the sale and use of vapes are banned in the country.
If you want to purchase e-liquid in Australia, you’re going to need a prescription from an Australian doctor. And even then you can only buy tobacco or menthol flavours.
Canada
Canada is somewhat supportive of vaping. While they allow the sale of vaping products and allow vaping in smoking permitted areas, they don’t allow medical claims to be made regarding e-cigarettes.
Stores across the country sell e-liquid and vaping products, so you can easily stock up on them if needed.
Turkey
Electronic cigarettes and e-liquid sales are forbidden in Turkey. However, it is legal to use e-cigarettes in the country.
United Arab Emirates
The view of vaping in the UAE used to be grim. But, positive changes are happening within the country. Since 2019, vaping products have been allowed to be imported and sold. You can vape outdoors in areas where smoking is allowed. Be aware though, people have been fined as high as 2000 Dh (£430) for vaping in prohibited areas.
Other holiday destinations
A general rule is that vaping is fine wherever smoking is. But, some countries take a very harsh stance. Always check the regulations about e-cigarette possession and use before you travel.
If you’re traveling to a country that isn’t on this list, the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction website is a great resource for checking out vaping laws and regulations.
Vaping on holiday.
So, you’ve reached your destination and have made it to your hotel or villa. But, there are still some things to consider when vaping abroad.
The first thing to remember is that the sun is not your vapes friend. Heating up e-liquid causes it to thin and this means that there’s a greater chance of leaking. Batteries also don’t like extreme temperature change and may have their capacity effected. Always try to keep your kit out of direct sunlight.
If you’re renting a hire car while on holiday you need to check if they allow vaping in the vehicle. Vaping or smoking in rental cars that don’t allow it can invalidate your insurance.
That’s the end of our in depth vaping on holiday guide. Hopefully it was useful and keeps you out of any sticky situations abroad! If you have any other questions, feel free to contact our friendly customer service team.
