Living There
As millions and millions of people around the world now use electronic cigarettes, we look at the difficulties people face travelling with their ecig.
The main thing people should check before visiting a foreign country, is the local legislation concerning electronic cigarettes. The way in which electronic cigarettes are being regulated differs greatly all around the world. Some countries might have banned vaping altogether, whilst others may have banned the sale of e-cigarettes or banned vaping in the same places normal cigarette smoking is banned.
Australia has for example banned the sale of electronic cigarettes and Brazil on the other hand has banned electronic cigarettes altogether. The U.S. on the other hand has very confusing laws. It allows the sale and smoking of e-cigs federally but many independent states have created their own laws and restrictions. New York for instance has banned vaping in the same places smoking is banned. California has become the latest state to ban electronic cigarettes from bars, nightclubs, restaurants and other public places. You are still allowed to vape in vaping bars and lounges.
With rules changing so quickly it is always best to do a little research on the rules of the place you are travelling to. If you don’t and get caught you could have to pay a possible fine or in the worst case scenario end up in prison!
Taking Your Electronic Cigarette to the Airport and on Planes
Vaping at the airport is allowed in most airports but varies greatly from airport to airport. Some might require you to vape in smoking lounges whilst others, like Heathrow, have their own vaping lounges. There are still some airports out there that will allow you to vape anywhere, but again please check before you start vaping. If you are going to vape make sure you do it discreetly and don’t blow out large plumes of vapor. I use a special eliquid by JAC Vapour called clearsteam with my Vaporfi Rebel II, which produces little or no vapor.
The next step is getting your ecig through security and onto the plane. I would advise disassembling your ecig and making sure the battery is turned off. Most devices will allow you to press it 3 or 4 times quickly to turn it on or off. I would also make sure it is charged as you might be asked to turn it on to show that it is a working ecig. There have been some occurrences where security have mistaken ecigs for bullets so always be ready to explain what it is. As ecigs become more prevalent most airport security will have seen them before. Just be sure to stick your eliquid in a see through bag and make sure you don’t take more liquid than you are allowed.
I would always take my ecig in my hand luggage and haven’t had any issues with security. Vaping on planes is now mostly prohibited and I personally wouldn’t try. I have heard other vapers doing some stealth vapes on planes, but in my opinion it isn’t worth it.
There you have it. Always have a read online about the rules of the country you are going to and make sure you check the specific airport rulings on ecigs before vaping there. And don’t vape on planes! Good luck and vape on.
