Post updated May 2018. Always check the most recent national laws of the country you plan to travel to before you depart.
It may seem a while off right now, but summer isn’t actually too far away, which means that travel plans are already starting to be formulated. Passports need to be checked, tickets booked, accommodation planned, but if you vape there’s another consideration to make which may affect your travel destination.
The following is everything you need to know about vaping and airports.
Everything You Need to Know About Vaping and Airports
Airline E-Cig Policies
When making your arrangements, it’s always a good idea to speak to the airline you plan to fly with to check their e-cig policy. Most airlines now have established rules in place regarding whether e-cigs are allowed on board, with most allowing them to be stored in your travel on bag; if in doubt, check their website or contact them via email or on social media. It’s unlikely, however, that you’ll be able to vape on-board. Can I travel with my electronic cigarette?
When your date of departure does finally arrive, you may wish to be able to use your e-cig prior to boarding, and most airports do have a vaping policy in place. Some airports are more lenient than others, but if your travel plans include an extended layover, it’s best to plan ahead. Vaping overseas.
Checked Luggage Battery Ban
Coming into effect last summer, there is now a worldwide ban on transporting e-cigs in checked luggage. The International Civil Aviation Organization amended the 2015-2016 edition of its Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO Doc 9284) which mean that e-cigs are no longer allowed to be stored in the hold of the aircraft.
This is something all vapers need to be aware of when planning a trip – store any hardware (batteries, tanks etc.) in your carry-on bag.
Airports Known to Allow Vaping
This is subject to change so it is advisable to always check prior to travelling. This list is current as of May 2018.Can I vape in an airport?
- Athens
- Auckland
- Barcelona
- Budapest
- Cairo
- Cancun
- Chennai
- Dulles
- Florence
- Frankfurt
- Heathrow
- Lisbon
- Madrid
- Milan
- Marrakesh
- Vegas (McCarran)
- Melbourne
- Miami
- Nice
- Mallorca
- Tampa
- Toronto
- Vienna
- Warsaw
Vaping is allowed in the terminal at a number of airports. In the UK if you’re departing from Heathrow, vaping is actually permissible as far as the gate. Vaping anywhere within the terminal is off-limits at both Glasgow or Edinburgh airports, however. Which airports allow vaping?
In other airports around the world, such as Munich or Charles de Gaulle, vaping is allowed only in designated areas. Often these will be shared spaces where smoking is also allowed, so if you’re keen to avoid second-hand smoke these may be less than ideal. Countries where vaping is banned.
The restrictions covering the transport of liquids on flights have been in place for several years now, and e-liquids are not exempt. In the same way as if you plan to take perfume or liquid foundation on your travels, if you’re taking e-liquid with you, ensure that you adhere to the rules for cabin bags and carry any spare bottles in your checked luggage. Don’t waste the e-liquid you’ve purchased by trying to take them through security, instead make sure your selection is safely stored away in the hold. Vaping overseas.
Vaping and the Law
When planning your trip, you should also take the time to read up on the legal status of e-cigs in all of the countries you plan to visit. In most countries, e-cigs are legal to use (though may be subject to the same restrictions as tobacco), in a handful of places vaping is banned outright. International vaping laws.
It’s often difficult to pin down the exact legal situation, so again it’s very much advised that you do your research when booking your holiday. You do not want to be on the wrong side of the law in places like the UAE.
Countries Where Vaping is Known to be Banned or Illegal
Current as of May 2018. Always check for up to date legislation before traveling.
- Hong Kong tips for traveling and vaping. Take an e cigarette on the plane?
- The UAE. Vape on a plane? Can I smoke an e cigarette on a plane?
- Singapore traveling with e cigs. Can I travel with an e cigarette?
Wherever you plan on travelling to this summer, it pays to plan ahead to avoid getting your trip off on the wrong foot. Travel with an electronic cigarette.
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Photo credits: Featured photo & vaping Pinterest image by Ecig Click. Can I vape in airport terminals? Rules for vaping in airports? Countries where vaping is illegal.
69 Comments
great article and great iformation for us Vapours
Thanks Mark – glad you found it informative and helpful :)
Who knew?!?!
Not something people think about, but so important if it applies to you :)
Great information, Meg. This is definitely something that many travelers can overlook, and apparently, in some countries, it’ll be too much trouble if you do!
Thanks Erica – and absolutely – you don’t want to find yourself on the wrong side of the law in a foreign country over something like Vaping!
This is really informative. I have friends who vape and they have been wondering about these things. thanks for the share!
Thanks Karla – glad you found the post helpful. Definitely point your friends in this direction if they have any questions about the legalities of vaping and travel :)
Very interesting. I don’t smoke, which I still count vaping as a kind of, but I would rather have people using e-cigs than real ones around me.
Absolutely, I’m the same – I would much rather have people using e-cigs than cigarettes, and I give them credit for making the change :)
I had never really thought about if e-cigs were allowed in airport! Very informative for people wondering about this:-)
Not something a lot of people think about until the very last moment if it applies to them. Hopefully we can spread some awareness and get people thinking about it earlier when they start to pack :)
I’ve always wondered how people find out about where to smoke or vape in an airport. I often see people hanging out in lounges, but it must have been some work looking up where you can go and what the rules are. It’s nice to have all that info in one place!
Hopefully we can aid people in putting some of the most important info into one post for them :) It’s pretty stressful not knowing the ins and outs of the laws as they apply to something which is so habitual as smoking and ecigs.
As a non-smoker who really hates everything which has something to do with it I am happy that the regulations have become stricter for smokers (Sorry) But interesting information anyhow.
A lot of people use e cigs as a way to hopefully stop smoking, so I see it as at least this is better than second hand smoke from actual cigarettes :)
Yes, thank you for educating those who vape! I’m a flight attendant and I can’t tell you how many people I’ve had to ask to put them away on my flights. I know people love them but they’re offensive on airplanes which is why they’re not to be used on most airlines. Great info!
You’re welcome :) Yes, they are offensive on airplanes – I would hope that the majority of people would understand that it’s not going to be possible to use them at all during a flight.
Living in Singapore I am hyper aware of all the (extra rules we have), but never this much in depth. Thank you for the help!
Glad you found the post helpful Mar :) Hope you’re having a wonderful time living in Singapore! I have to get there myself soon :)
I’m not sure what to say haha! I personally don’t care much for vaping. It’s an annoyance. But I get why people do it and it is 10000 times better than actual smoke(for me breathing anyway?). Great article and great information here!
Absolutely Joe – it’s the next step towards quitting for many people, so I’m all for it if it makes a difference in reducing cigarette smoke.
Glad you found the post informative :)
I vape CBD to control chronic nerve pain. I don’t understand why that would bother anyone.
Informative post. It’s interesting how even smoking technologies are evolving, and organizations must adapt!
Everything is evolving at such a rapid pace, so we really do need to keep on top of the ever changing laws which follow in their place.
This post is really insightful and is packed with a ton of helpful information about what to expect when you’re at the airport and regularly vape. That list is really useful and will help so many readers! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Thanks Morgan – glad you enjoyed the post and found the info helpful. Happy travels!
Wow! Fantastic stuff !
This is so chock full of useful information!
There is a big difference between smoking and vaping. Smoking needs tobacco and it contains nicotine and produces tar but that’s not same for vaping. In vaping you have a choice to choose whether you want to inhale nicotine e cigarette or nicotine free e cigarette. Both of these things will help you to quit smoking.
Glad you enjoyed the post Marco & found the information to be helpful :)
Thanks for the great article! You mention you are allowed to vape at Melbourne airport. Do you mean Tullamarine Oz? If so, where can you vape? Obviously outside (I have always gone to the smoking zones at the outer ends of terminals) but can you vape inside pre security? Heading off to Thailand soon where the laws re ecigs are a bit of a grey area, and hoping I won’t have anything confiscated! Have checked my airline and the Thai consulate as well as scouring forums to get as much accurate info as I can. I smoked tobacco for MANY years and still feel quite reliant on being able to vape nearly 12 months after! Fingers crossed. Thanks again.
Hi Jo Jo, so glad the article was helpful for you – and congrats on having quit tobacco!
Yes, when listing Melbourne, I mean Tullamarine. The current rules for Melbourne as of now (July 2016) only allow you vape in designated smoking areas – I don’t believe any of these are inside. Double check with the airport before you go, can give them a quick call and get straight through to someone who works the desk there; the number for Melbourne airport general inquiries is +61 3 9297 1600
Hope you have a wonderful time in Thailand! Sounds like you’re all over the research – the Thai consulate is probably one of the best places to source accurate info, so I hope the trip goes smoothly for you :)
Happy travels! X
Thanks for this article Meg. I was wondering if vaping in Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport is only restricted to certain areas or can I smoke in the whole airport?
Hi Ed :)
The current rules for Melbourne as of now (October 2016) only allow you vape in designated smoking areas – I don’t believe any of these are inside. Double check with the airport before you go, can give them a quick call and get straight through to someone who works the desk there; the number for Melbourne airport general inquiries is +61 3 9297 1600
Hope that helps! :)
Thanks for sharing this information! It is good to know that there are airports out there that allow vaping.
Glad we could help Brian! Happy travels :)
Well, I like vaping myself but never do that in public places although it is not yet forbidden in our country. It is awful when people start vaping in restaurants.
Hi Daniel, I agree, I think there’s now a social stigma now around vaping in public places, at least where I’m from in Aus. The general attitude here is that you do it in private. There are a number of designated areas set up throughout public places like airports now though, which helps in balancing everyone’s interests.
Vape is much better than cigarette thanks for sharing this Article :) It really helped me out because I am really into vape :)
Glad we could help Fred. Happy travels!
Hi, This is a very nice information. It is crystal Clear that cigarette and E cigarette are very different. We should Quit smoking by the help of w-cigarette
Glad the post was helpful for you Matthew :) Happy travels & all the best in your efforts to quit :)
Superb article, Megan! Thanks for sharing. I’ll be sharing this article with my travel blogger friends who love to vape occasionally.
Thanks Kate :) Happy travels!
Good information to know! Hopefully people will keep their external batteries in the plastic containers and not have them jangling around in their bags where a short could happen. Would reek havoc on vaping if something happened on a flight I imagine.
Glad you enjoyed the post Mason – yes I can imagine it’d only take one instance to completely ban vaping products from carry on. Seems like they’re coming down hard on everything right now with these electronics and laptop bans, so we can only hope and see!
Thanks for this wonderful information mate. I’ve been aware that vaping is now allowed in many airports, but was wondering whether I could vape on board in any of these airlines. Thanks again.
Yep, not once you’re actually onboard. But many airports are open to it, so it’s just making it through the flight.
Glad the post was helpful and informative for you :)
thanks for the info, but we consider it likely that vaping will get pushed outside just like cigarettes over the long-term.
Jim
It will be interesting to see if the trend of vaping dies down in the coming years for sure.
..hi Meg, I was just wondering. We are travelling to Canada w/c vaping is legal but have a 6 hr lay over to Hong Kong w/c it’s illegal. Will my stuff be in trouble even if I don’t use it? Thanks in advance!
Hi Kicks, I would pack it in your checked luggage to avoid any possible trouble – ultimately, you can’t use it on the plane, and if you can’t use it during your layover either, I wouldn’t even risk having to go back through Hong Kong airport security with it. It’s one of those things where you might be fine, but I wouldn’t personally risk it, especially as it’s no use to you in transit anyway. Hope that helps! And hope you have a fabulous trip :)
Hello, This is definitely something that many travelers can overlook, and apparently, in some countries, it’ll be too much trouble if you do!
Absolutely, and yes, it’s not safe to assume that vaping is legal in other countries just because we can do it safely at home.
I appreciate your post, Meg. This is definitely something that many travelers can overlook, and apparently, in some countries, it’ll be too much trouble if you do!
You’re welcome William, I’m glad the information was helpful for you. Yes, you can find yourself in a lot of trouble if you transit or fly into countries where vaping is banned; I think it’s easy to take it for granted that just because it’s legal in your home country it will be in the country you’re traveling to too.
Thank you. I’m travelling from NZ to Melbourne. I’m an ex smoker of 40 yrs who has vapes instead for last 2 yrs . Great to know how I must take e liqued and vape gear. Very informative and most up to date info I can find.
Glad the post was helpful for you Dayle. Have a great trip to Melbourne :)
Hey Megan, great article but I must tell you it’s not illegal to vape in Brazil and Argentina. Stores cannot sell vapes but it’s totally legal to bring and use. Thanks.
Thanks for the update Fabio, appreciate the info :) I’ll update that section now and remove them from the list. Thanks!
There are issues with traveling with your e-cigs and vapes through airport security. You need all the relevant information to stay on the right side of the law when taking a business or a holiday trip. In fact, only a few countries around the world have regulated vaping. Because there have been questions on how to categorize e-cigarettes given that they have not been in use for long.
Absolutely Obdrox, and especially if you’re transiting through a country where vaping is illegal, you’ll want to have everything in your checked luggage.
Yes, I believe we’ll likely start to see more and more countries begin to regulate vaping now that it has become apparent that it’s not just a passing trend.
Is Vape allowed to enter busan international airport or any south korean airports????
I am about to travel in busan this coming january 25,2019.
Many thanks!
Hi Martin, I haven’t personally traveled to South Korea, so I’m going off what I’ve read on this Reddit thread, but vaping is legal in the country so you shouldn’t have any trouble bringing it through the airport. Whether you can actually vape in the airport itself I’m unfortunately not sure, perhaps that’s something you can ask when you get there :)
Hope that helps … have a fabulous time in South Korea!
It’s been proven that vaping, especially vaping cbd, is healthier.
Definitely when compared to tobacco :)
I do not think vaping should be allowed in airports, or in your hand luggage however you should be OK to carry in your suitcase provided you have read the law of the country you are visiting.
We have numerous customers in Europe & UK and find that there are plenty of places which consider this normal.
I think is an airport allows it then it’s fine, but if you’re transiting through countries where vaping is illegal, or you’re not sure, it’s just better to pack it in your suitcase and pull it out when you arrive :)
Glad to hear that the UK and Europe are largely very accepting. Thanks for your comment!
Best article and great information for Vapours
Glad it was helpful for you :)