Are electronic cigarettes legal?
beat the smoking ban!Smoking bans around the world are coming into force, making it illegal to smoke any tobacco based products in public places. The e-cigarette does not contain any tobacco or produce any smoke so it does not fall under the smoking ban.
Electronic cigarettes are legal in many countries and pending review in others. Below is a breakdown of the different countries laws on the use of e-cigarettes:
If new laws and regulations are introduced under the sale of electronic cigarettes across the globe we will aim to keep you as up to date as possible on this page.
United Kingdom
The use of electronic cigarette is currently unrestricted. They are not affected by the smoking ban which was introduced across the whole of the UK in July 2007. This means they can be legally smoked in pubs, bars and nightclubs and all other public places covered by the smoking ban.
United States
The use of electric cigarettes in USA are currently unrestricted but are not legally approved as a smoking cessation product. Electronic cigarettes are not currently restricted by the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act.
Australia
The sale of e-cigarettes which contain nicotine is currently illegal in Australia.
Austria and Denmark
Electric cigarettes are considered medical devices in both Austria and Denmark, therefore they need to CE-marked before being legally purchased.
Canada
The use of electronic cigarettes in public places affected by the Canadian smoking ban is currently under review.
Finland
Selling the refill cartridges containing nicotine is illegal but is not illegal to purchase from overseas for personal use only.
Hong Kong
The sale or possession of e-cigarettes in Hong Kong is illegal.
The Netherlands
The use of electronic cigarettes in the Netherlands is legal; however advertising the product is illegal.
New Zealand
The cartridges cannot be sold except as a registered medicine as they have been ruled by the Ministry of Health under the requirements of the medicines act.