Revealed: The countries where owning an e-cigarette could lead to fines, confiscation and even PRISON

  • Legislation across the world relating to e-cigarettes is constantly evolving
  • Brits abroad risk prison if they are caught vaping in countries where it is banned
  • In Thailand, for example, those caught with e-cigarettes face ten years in prison
  • Last month, it was reported that India was also considering a ban on vaping

For many people, electronic cigarettes are a healthy alternative to smoking tobacco. 

However, in many countries using e-cigarettes or vape pens is restricted or banned completely. 

Due to vaping being a fairly new practice, the laws relating to it are constantly evolving as governments across the world re-evaluate the health implications of using e-cigarettes. 

Risk: Although laws are constantly evolving in different countries, this map details where vaping is currently banned or restricted  across the world

Risk: Although laws are constantly evolving in different countries, this map details where vaping is currently banned or restricted across the world

While many people opt to inhale smoke-free vapours over smoke, because they believe it poses less of a risk of cancer among other health benefits, the World Health Organisation released a report in 2014 detailing how there was insufficient evidence that e-cigarettes help smokers actually give up.

The report led to countries all over the world clamping down on the use of vapourisers and e-cigarettes, with many choosing to ban the devices altogether.   

This leads to plenty of grey areas which cause hapless Brits abroad to risk fines - or worse - should they be caught using them in countries where vaping is banned.

While some countries might ban everything - the import, sale and use of e-cigarettes - associated with vaping, others might only ban devices that contain liquid nicotine (rather than nicotine-free liquids).

So what are the worldwide restrictions on e-cigarettes? And what will happen if you fall foul of these rules?

Be careful: In Thailand, e-cigarettes are banned completely, with punishments for those found with them ranging from confiscation to ten years in a squalid prison

In Thailand, e-cigarettes are banned completely, with punishments for those found with them ranging from confiscation to ten years in prison. 

However, because vaping was only made illegal there three years ago, many travellers are unaware they are breaking the law.

Another country which clamped down on vaping after the WHO's 2014 report was Brazil, where the manufacture and sale of e-cigarettes has since been banned.  

Uruguay has a total ban on vaping and e-cigarettes, while the UAE prevents vaping equipment being brought into the country via confiscation at the airport.  

Laws of the land: Another country which clamped down on vaping after the WHO's 2014 report was Brazil, where the manufacture and sale of e-cigarettes has since been banned

Laws of the land: Another country which clamped down on vaping after the WHO's 2014 report was Brazil, where the manufacture and sale of e-cigarettes has since been banned

In some Middle Eastern countries such as Jordan and Qatar, regular cigarettes are legal, while their electronic counterparts have been banned completely. 

Other counties where vaping is banned completely are  Cambodia, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore. 

Some countries, including Hong Kong permit the use of e-cigarettes, so long as they don't contain nicotine. 

In Turkey, vaping is prohibited indoors and on public transport. Meanwhile, in the last month, India announced that is was considering a ban on e-cigarettes.

Compromise:  Some countries, including Hong Kong permit the use of e-cigarettes, so long as they don't contain nicotine

Compromise:  Some countries, including Hong Kong permit the use of e-cigarettes, so long as they don't contain nicotine

With so many strict laws surrounding vaping across the world, Britain's approach to the habit seems liberal - which could lead to some of us getting into trouble on holiday.

Richard Hyslop, Chief Executive of the Independent British Vape Trade Association told MailOnline: 'While we may disagree with much of the regulation relating to vape products in the UK, it is important to remember, that compared to many countries we are very fortunate with the approach the UK Government has taken.

'Globally, the regulatory picture differs hugely and unfortunately, there is a mixed message when there should be a very clear message.

'There is never a situation where it is better to smoke than it is to vape. We know that vaping is at least 95 per cent less harmful than smoking and carries less than one per cent of the risk when it comes to cancer.

'Instead of criminalising vaping and vapers, governments across the world should be embracing the tremendous opportunities vaping provides, in terms of offering smokers a significantly less harmful alternative to smoked tobacco.

'Until such a time, vapers from the UK, to avoid falling foul of the law, should make themselves aware of the regulations relating to vaping in any countries they visit.' 

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.