Cook Islands Airport Vaping: Police Warn of Tougher Action

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Cook Islands vaping laws

Cook Islands Police have issued a stern warning to travelers following persistent vaping violations at Rarotonga International Airport and aboard incoming flights. This enforcement push comes as authorities seek to curb an ongoing disregard for airport safety regulations and national tobacco laws.

Police media advisor Trevor Pitt confirmed that authorities are currently investigating a tourist who allegedly vaped inside an aircraft lavatory during a flight. While overall breach numbers remain relatively low—averaging up to three incidents per month—officials stress that any violation in a highly regulated aviation environment is entirely unacceptable.

Beyond aircraft cabins, vaping is strictly prohibited within all restricted areas of Rarotonga International Airport, including the tarmac. Despite clear safety protocols, police note that passengers regularly attempt to vape immediately after stepping off planes, resulting in the immediate confiscation of their devices.

This warning follows the enactment of the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 2024, which took effect on August 1, 2024. The legislation completely banned the manufacture, importation, sale, and distribution of imitation tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, within the Cook Islands.

To accommodate tourists, the law permits visitors aged 21 and older to bring a highly restricted quantity of vaping products under strict conditions:

  • A maximum of one imitation tobacco device.
  • Up to 30 milliliters of e-liquid.
  • Mandatory re-exportation of the device and liquid upon departure, or surrender to the Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health.

Border security has actively enforced these limits. Over an eight-month period following the law’s introduction, authorities seized more than 2,500 vapes at the border. In one notable case, customs officers confiscated 41 vaping devices from an 18-year-old Australian traveler during a routine baggage search at Rarotonga International Airport.

Police emphasize that they will continue to assist the Airport Authority in enforcing these regulations. Travelers are urged to respect local laws and aviation safety requirements to avoid confiscations, heightened scrutiny, or potential prosecution.

Matthew Ma
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