In the spirit of the Christmas season, many people will be travelling to visit friends and family or exploring new destinations for their winter break. For some travellers, that might mean taking a ski trip to one of Europe’s most popular resorts. For others, it could mean booking a package holiday to a warm and sunny destination.
But with all these exciting options comes something that can put a dampener on things – smoking and vaping regulations. Many hotels, resorts, cruise ships, restaurants and other establishments have introduced restrictions on smoking in order to create cleaner indoor spaces and protect the public's health from secondhand smoke. As such, many travellers need to know which countries are banning smoking so they can find convenient alternatives.
Which Countries Are Banning Smoking?
Did you know that the tobacco industry is responsible for over 100,000 hospital admissions for heart attacks and over 30,500 cases of lung cancer per year? Many people are aware that tobacco smoking is banned in restaurants and bars across the U.K., but in recent years, smoking has been restricted in many other countries, too. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 30 countries in the world with a complete smoking ban:
- Barbados
- Benin
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Chad
- Columbia
- Congo
- Costa Rica
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Ethiopia
- Gambia
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Laos
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Moldova
- Namibia
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
However, there are 39 countries with strict smoking restrictions in public spaces, such as in restaurants, bars and on public transport:
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Botswana
- Brunei
- China
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Israel
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Latvia
- Liberia
- Myanmar
- New Zealand
- Philippines
- Rwanda
- Singapore
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Sweden
- Tanzania
- Timor-Leste
- Vietnam
- United States
- United Kingdom
In the U.K., you can smoke cigarettes on your own private land or in public outdoor spaces. But, since July 2007, the U.K Government have prohibited smoking in, or near, public buildings, including train station platforms and airports.
Which Countries Have Vaping Bans?
Did you know that there are over three million vape users in the U.K. alone? Although vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years, many users will be faced with difficulties around vaping laws when travelling this winter. With growing fears surrounding the health effects of vaping products, many hotels, resorts and other venues have banned vaping devices indoors. Generally speaking, vaping is completely banned in the following countries:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Oman
- Panama
- Philippines
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Suriname
- Tajikistan
- United Arab Emirates
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
In light of this, travellers need to make sure they find out what the rules are when bringing e-cigarettes to the places they’re staying and booking. Otherwise, they could be breaking the law and be at risk of getting kicked out of their hotel, fined by authorities, or even facing years in prison!
The Benefits of Nicotine Pouches
With all the restrictions on smoking and vaping, many travellers may be considering giving up their vice altogether. Searching for an easier alternative to smoking when travelling? Übbs Tobacco-Free Nicotine Pouches are a super discreet and convenient way of enjoying your nicotine experience. Unlike smoking and vaping, nicotine pouches don’t produce secondhand smoke or pose any fire risk, which means they’re permitted in most airports and train stations! What's more, our Nicotine Pouches won't be subjected to any of the tobacco import restrictions for specific countries, so you travel with ease!
Bottom line
Smoking and vaping are becoming increasingly regulated across the world because of their health risks. If you’re travelling this winter, make sure you find out what the bans are on e-cigarettes and smoking in enclosed public spaces. For travellers who want to combine convenient travelling with moments of pleasure, excitement and relaxation, look no further than our Übbs Tobacco-Free Nicotine Pouches.
