These days, traveling at home or abroad no longer means having to endure clouds of toxic smoke from smokers at bus and train stations, or at airports and many other public places we use to get about. Not only is smoking banned in them, but a growing number of people have managed to kick the habit by vaping instead.
E-cigarettes are welcome in some public areas, and there’s practically no chance of developing illnesses or disease from the vapour that’s given off by these devices. That’s because, thanks to recent medical studies, it’s been discovered that, despite previous fears, vaping carries almost none of the risks associated with vaping. This is why when you’re off on your travels, it’s becoming increasingly common to see people vaping instead of smoking.
But as e-cigarettes, which are easily available at a good online vape shop, are still quite new, there can often be confusion about them and where they can be used. If you’re planning to hit the road this summer and are thinking about bringing your vape gear along for the ride, here are some key facts you need to know.
Vapes on a Plane
Can you bring your vape gear onto an aircraft, either in the hold or the cabin? Many people wonder about this, and the answer is: it depends — on the air authorities as well as individual airlines’ policies. In some countries, including the United Kingdom and United States, you are not permitted to put your vape gear in your check-in baggage, but you can bring it on board, in a carry-on bag or a pocket. You cannot do anything with e-cigs or other vape gear while on a plane — not charging them (to avoid the risk of overheating) and definitely not using them to vape.
Vaping at Airports
As with flying and vape gear, vaping at airports around the world depends on the airport itself. Many don’t allow vaping where they don’t permit smoking — as in indoors, unless there’s a designated smoking room — while some do. If there are smoking areas at selected locations just outside airports, beside entry points or in the outdoors areas of on-site bars, you can go ahead and vape there without worrying about getting into trouble.
Vaping on Vacation
Now we come to vaping when you’re actually at a vacation destination. Can you just vape away to your heart’s content wherever you happen to be, by the pool or at the beach? The general rule is: Don’t vape where you wouldn’t smoke. So, if you find yourself with a group of people who are not smokers or vapers, it’s probably not a good idea to whip out your vape gear and start vaping. Or at the very least, ask before using an e-cigarette or similar device, and if your companions don’t mind, then no problem and the air is cleared!
Vaping Bans
Some people would certainly mind if you started vaping or even brought your vape gear to their country, however, and you could be slapped with a steep fine or even jailed. Certain nations in Southeast Asia have banned vaping or even having an e-cigarette in your possession, and in Thailand, a prison sentence of up to 10 years awaits if you break their vaping law. It may sound crazy, in a land of millions of smokers and not one vape shop, but that’s the harsh reality and you’d better abide by it. Claiming ignorance of the law if you’re picked up by the police won’t do anything to help your case, so always check what the rules are before you go to a country.
A little common sense and care goes a long way towards ensuring you have a great time on the road, with your vape gear.
