33 Countries Have Banned E-Cigarettes and Vapes

The United Kingdom recently publicized intentions to prohibit the sale of disposable vapes, joining dozens of nations that have implemented bans or constraints on e-cigarettes to protect youth.

E-cigarettes entered the US market in 2007 and have since evolved into a substantive public health issue, especially regarding adolescents. Monthly sales of these devices surged from 15.5 million units in 2020 to 22.7 million in 2022, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Moreover, e-cigarettes now represent the most widely consumed tobacco product amongst American youth.

Proponents argue e-cigarettes can assist smokers in quitting traditional cigarettes. However, critics counter that the youthful packaging and fruit-flavored varieties specifically target underage users. These factors risk addicting adolescents to nicotine while exposing them to other dangerous chemicals.

A 2023 CDC study discovered approximately 2 million middle and high school students currently use e-cigarettes, representing 7.7% of this population. Over 60% of youth users favored disposable vape brands such as Elf Bar and Esco Bar. In the UK, around 9% of 11-15-year-olds are reported to vape.

In America, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates e-cigarettes, greenlighting products on a case-by-case basis contingent on the risk of youth uptake. So far, the FDA has approved just 23 e-cigarette products, rendering the thousands of unauthorized items on store shelves technically illegal. Still, enforcement has proven challenging.

Over 30 Nations Have Banned E-Cigarette Sales

Globally, 33 countries have instituted comprehensive bans on e-cigarette sales, while another 87 regulate them via constraints like age limits, advertising prohibitions, and vaping location restrictions. This data comes from a 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) publication.

Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/countries-that-ban-the-sale-of-vapes-e-cigarettes

Nations With Total E-Cigarette/Vape Sales Bans:

Argentina
Brazil
Brunei
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
North Korea
Ethiopia
Gambia
India
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Laos
Malaysia
Mauritius
Mexico*
Nicaragua
Norway
Oman
Panama
Qatar
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Syria
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Venezuela

(*Mexico’s ban was ruled unconstitutional but seems to remain largely in effect.)

Read more:VAPE BANS: EXPLORING THE VAPE REGULATIONS IN U.S. AND WORLDWIDE

Per the report, 74 countries housing over 2 billion citizens have not passed any e-cigarette regulations. This encompasses 40% of middle-income countries and 79% of low-income nations taking zero regulatory action so far.

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.