The fairer months of the year are coming around quickly, and we’re sure there’s plenty of you out there starting to think about getting away from it all – Holiday season is coming!
As vapers, we’re often left a little confused about what rules we do or don’t need to pay attention to when taking our devices and e-liquids abroad.
If you’re wondering how e-liquids fit into your liquid allowance, where vaping is legal or illegal, or if you are curious about different airlines policies on vaping, we’ve got all that an more covered in our ultimate guide to travelling with your e-cigarette.
Stick with us here however, as we take a look at some of the destination (slightly) closer to home – after all, we Brits love a good Euro-trip!
*The information included in this blog was accurate at the time of writing, however vaping policy is still evolving really quickly, so it’s always best to run any burning questions by your travel agent, airline provider or even the hotel you intend to stay at; the staff should be able to help with any questions about local rules for vapers!
Is Vaping Banned in Europe?
Thankfully no, European countries are amongst the most accepting of vaping globally, with that said though you do need to be careful about little differences between national laws, such as vaping in public places, as these can differ a little from place to place.
There are also a few different nations considering changes to their vaping rules, which could affect you if you happen to be arriving after any new policies are brought in. Keeping up to date on these developments will be important to ensure you can travel happily with your vape, drama-free.
The important thing to remember is that while in many places, including the UK, vaping products from pods to nic salts are all considered consumer products containing an addictive substance and are regulated as such. Some EU nations however classify them as medical devices and products, which can mean their sale and use are restricted in ways we are less accustomed to.
Turkey is one of the more restrictive nations in Europe regarding vaping. While not banned outright, you can’t actually buy any devices or e-liquids when you’re there as none have been successfully licenced. You can however use those you have brought with you without fear (so long as that isn’t indoors or on public transport). Just make sure they last for your whole trip, as you won’t be able to replace them until you get back to Blighty.
A good rule of thumb is to always be aware of local laws and customs, as well as social etiquette. Don't just start vaping wherever you happen to be, especially in confined public spaces that may raise eyebrows and cause problems. Don’t be a menace!
European Countries with Vaping Regulations
We’ve already mentioned Turkey above, but they aren’t alone in having stricter regulations for vaping than we do here in the UK. Since May 2016, member states of the European Union have been subject to new rules on vaping that are contained in regulations covering tobacco products sold across the bloc.
The Tobacco Products Directive sets out safety and quality requirements for e-cigarettes containing nicotine; in particular "maximum nicotine concentrations and maximum volumes for cartridges, tanks and nicotine liquid containers". Having an idea of these restriction will help ensure you don’t accidentally bring in a product that is illegal.
The directive does not ban vaping products; indeed, member states have their own individual rules regarding their use it’s all very similar to the way it works here in the UK.
However, the EU regulations concerning e-cigarettes state that they must carry health warnings describing that they contain nicotine and that "cross-border advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes is prohibited" (although unless you plan on doing some vape business on your hols, this last one probably won’t be an issue!).
Again we must stress that where you try to vape abroad is important to be mindful of - many European countries are now starting to ban vaping in public places, including Portugal.
Globaltobaccocontrol.org has compiled a very comprehensive set of individual vaping rules and regs all in one place that you can search through to make sure you fully understand before you travel. We’ve picked out the highlights from some of the most popular Euro destinations below.
Vaping in Spain
- Vaping is allowed in Spain
- You can buy devices and refills out there
- They are classed as a tobacco related product
- Minimal restriction on where you can vape – just be polite!
- 18+ age of sale
- Spain is currently considering new rules for vaping – check before you fly!
Vaping in France
- Vaping is allowed in France
- You can buy devices and refills out there
- They can be classed as consumer or medical products – medical examples may be restricted to tourists
- Do not vape on public transport, in enclosed spaces, or anywhere children are present
- 18+ age of sale
Vaping in Italy
- Vaping is allowed in Italy
- You can buy devices and refills out there
- They are classed as tobacco related products
- Do not vape in schools or on school premises
- 18+ age of sale
Vaping in Germany
- Vaping is allowed in Germany
- You can buy devices and refills out there
- They are classed as tobacco related products
- The state of Hessen specifically has banned vaping anywhere smoking is also banned, elsewhere you can vape freely but be respectful
- 18+ age of sale
Vaping in Greece
- Vaping is allowed in Greece
- You can buy devices and refills out there
- They are classed as tobacco related consumer products
- Minimal restriction on where you can vape – just be polite!
- 18+ age of sale
Vaping in Portugal
- Vaping is allowed in Portugal
- You can buy devices and refills out there
- They are classed as e-cigarettes but treated as tobacco products
- You cannot vape in many public places or on public transport, watch for the signs
- 18+ age of sale
Vaping in The Netherlands
- Vaping is allowed in The Netherlands
- You can buy devices and refills out there, but there is a flavour ban restricting these to tobacco only
- They are classed as tobacco related products
- You cannot vape indoors
- 18+ age of sale
Vaping in Turkey
- Vaping is allowed in Turkey
- No devices or refills have been licenced for sale, so you are unlikely to find any
- They are classed as a tobacco product
- You cannot vape indoors or on public transport
- 19+ age of sale
Vaping in Croatia
- Vaping is allowed in Croatia
- You can buy devices and refills out there
- They are classed as a tobacco related product
- Minimal restrictions on where you can vape – just be polite!
- 18+ age of sale
Vaping in Czechia (Prague etc…)
- Vaping is allowed in Czech Republic
- You can buy devices and refills out there
- They are classed independently as e-cigarettes
- Minimal restriction on where you can vape – just be polite!
- 18+ age of sale
Vaping in Belgium
- Vaping is allowed in Belgium
- You can buy devices and refills out there
- They are classed as medicinal products
- Do not vape in enclosed public spaces or on public transport
- 18+ age of sale
Vaping in Bulgaria
- Vaping is allowed in Bulgaria
- You can buy devices and refills out there, but they cannot be sold in certain public places (schools, hospitals, dormitories etc…)
- They are classed as tobacco related products
- Minimal restriction on where you can vape – just be polite!
- 18+ age of sale
Vaping in Sweden
- Vaping is allowed in Sweden
- You can buy devices and refills out there
- They are classed as both tobacco related and medical products
- You cannot vape in: places intended for childcare, school activities, or other activities intended for children or youth, places where health care is provided, domestic public transport, and restaurants, except for rooms designated for smoking specifically.
- 18+ age of sale
Vaping in Iceland
- Vaping is allowed in Iceland
- You can buy devices and refills out there
- They are classed independently as e-cigarettes
- You cannot vape near schools or health centres
- 18+ age of sale
Vaping in Norway
- Vaping is allowed in Norway
- You can only buy 0mg e-liquid and devices, nicotine content is banned, unless imported for private medical use (you won’t be able to do this so bring what you need)
- They are classed as a medical tobacco surrogate
- You cannot vape in public venues, public transport, restaurants, bars, or schools
- 18+ age of sale including 0mg products – no nicotine products available
We hope this guide proves useful for you and wish you all the best on your hols this year! Don’t forget to double check the rules haven’t changed before you fly, and even where there are no restrictions, do us proud and be a positive vaping ambassador!
Our sources:
https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/no-exceptions-for-e-cigs/39426
https://www.thelocal.es/20141103/spain-turns-back-on-e-cigarettes-ance-who/
https://www.direct-travel.co.uk/blog/travelling-with-e-cigs
http://globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes/countries?country=119
