Brits warned vaping in popular holiday hotspot could land them in prison

Brits have been warned that vaping in a popular holiday hotspot could actually land them in prison.

UK travellers heading on Thailand holidays should take note that E-cigarettes are illegal across the whole country, with hefty fines and potential prison sentences for anyone caught using them.

That includes packing them in your suitcase, as it's illegal to bring e-cigarettes and vape pens into Thailand too. Airport officials will often check passengers' luggage and confiscate these devices, and you could land yourself in hot water if you're found with them in your bags, such as an on-the-spot fine or even being arrested.

It's not just vaping either; it's illegal to smoke in public across Thailand with fines of up to 5000 baht (approximately £115) being handed out to those who flout the law. The ban has been in place since 2014, when the Thai government introduced the rules in a bid to improve people's health.

The UK government has already warned Brits of the strict rules. The Foreign Office explains in its Thailand travel advice: "It’s illegal to smoke in public with a fine of up to 5,000 Thai baht. E-cigarettes are illegal. You could be fined or imprisoned for carrying or using them."

It's not just Thailand that has strict rules around vaping. In Singapore, anyone found possessing or using a vape could be fined up to £1,150.

Meanwhile in Mexico the sale of vapes is generally banned. Holidaymakers have been warned that if they have the devices in their luggage and are stopped by customs officials, they may be asked about the vape and its intended use, with some reports that these devices are often confiscated before travellers have even left the airport.

In Europe, countries such as France and Belgium already have a ban on disposable vapes in place. Meanwhile in Spain, vaping on beaches in Barcelona, Benidorm could mean fines of up to €750 (£650). Over in the Balearic Islands, there are a number of smoke-free beaches as visitors are urged not to litter the sands with cigarette butts.

There could be more rules to follow. Last year, the Canary Islands' authorities began to consider proposals that would ban smoking on outdoor bar and restaurant terraces on the holiday islands, as well as a ban at bus stop shelters, outdoor sports areas and near entrances to buildings such as schools and hospitals. At the moment, smoking is prohibited in all indoor public spaces, including bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and workplaces.

You should also take note of the UK's own laws when you head home. As of June 1, 2025, the UK government has banned disposable vapes. Anyone who is found with a single-use vape could find it gets confiscated at the border.

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