"Leave Your E-Cigarette Behind When You Go to Hong Kong"... Warning Issued Over Penalties for Bringing Vapes Into 40 Countries

[Financial News] The government has issued a warning to smokers, saying they should be aware that carrying e-cigarettes while traveling abroad can lead to arrest or fines in more than 40 countries. It also urged travelers to check whether their destination is among the countries where penalties apply under tightened regulations.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on the 6th, more than 40 countries, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Laos, Vietnam, Singapore, the Kingdom of Cambodia, Thailand, India, Australia and Mexico, classify not only the manufacture, sale and distribution of e-cigarettes, but also their import and use, as criminal offenses.
Recently, there have been cases in which South Koreans were caught bringing in, using or carrying e-cigarettes in countries with strict regulations. In such cases, they were arrested or fined under local law.
In particular, falsely claiming not to have an e-cigarette while actually carrying one to avoid detection during airport baggage inspections, or hiding the device, can even lead to smuggling charges.
MOFA also warned that problems can arise during security screening or baggage re-check procedures when transiting through countries where e-cigarettes are banned.
Because e-cigarette regulations vary by country and can change at any time, travelers should check the latest information on the websites of South Korean diplomatic missions in the destination country before departure. In some places, rules differ by region, and certain countries ban only specific types of e-cigarettes, such as flavored products, so travelers are advised to review the relevant regulations carefully before their trip.
MOFA said, "Countries around the world are increasingly tightening regulations on e-cigarettes to protect public health and the health of young people," adding, "Our citizens should exercise particular caution when visiting those countries."
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rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter