A popular winter sun destination has introduced a new blanket ban that could see Brits slapped with a £350 on-the-spot fine.
On January 16, Mexico amended its (already strict) vaping laws, clarifying that it is illegal to bring any vapes, e-cigarettes, or vaping products, into the country.
The measures came into force a day later, following the publication of the constitutional reform by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. The nationwide ban outlaws the importation, sale, and distribution of vapes, and tourists are no exception.
Brits are serial users of vapes, with 5.4 million adults using vapes daily or occasionally, as of November 2025, a sharp rise recorded by ONS since 2024.
However, if any tourist arriving in Mexico’s popular hotspots — like Cancún, Cabo San Lucas, or Cozumel — is caught with a vape, they can be issued with a hefty fine.
Reports of the exact financial penalty vary, with Cruise Hive reporting possible fines of £9,065 and up to eight years in prison, although one tourist on Reddit claims they were found with a vape at a Mexican airport on January 18, and says they were given a £352 fine.n
Rigorous customs checkpoints are being used to enforce the ban, in line with the tourist’s claims on Reddit.
The new legislation states: ‘The law will penalise all activities related to electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and other analogous electronic systems or devices specified by law, as well as the production, distribution, and sale of toxic substances, chemical precursors, the illicit use of fentanyl, and other unauthorised synthetic drugs.’
The law comes after a reform aiming to protect public health was approved in the country.
Where has recently imposed vaping and e-cigarette bans?
Vietnam is another country that has restricted vaping, with a decree issued on December 31, 2025, prohibiting the production, importation, and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
Again this is part of a movement to protect public health, and the legislation, approved by Vietnam’s National Assembly, will be enforced via hefty fines.
Anyone caught using a vape could face fines of VND 3 million to VND 5 million (£85 to £142), while property owners permitting their use could be fined VND 5 million to VND 10 million (£142 to £283).
This makes Vietnam the sixth country in Southeast Asia, following Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, and Thailand, to ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
Singapore is an absolute no no for tourists when it comes to vaping, with Singaporean authorities announcing tougher penalties for vaping in August last year.
It was one of the first countries to ban vaping in 2018, but punishments worsened on September 1, 2025, meaning those caught using or possessing vapes will face increased fines starting from S$500 (£288), and state-mandated rehabilitation.
These penalties apply to tourists, too, although signs will be placed throughout Changi Airport that will remind arriving visitors of the vaping ban, along with vape disposal bins so users can get rid of their devices without facing penalties.
If you’re travelling to the Maldives, you should be aware it banned the import, sale, and use of vapes or e-cigarettes outright, and tourists found with vapes will face fines of up to MVR 5,000 (£238).
The devices will also be confiscated upon arrival at Malé’s Velana International Airport.
Malaysia is another country set to tighten its rules on vaping in 2026, again as part of public health reforms.
Its Cabinet has already agreed to ban vape products nationwide, and officials at the Health Ministry hope to implement the ban in summer this year, although there’s currently no set date.
It’s expected to tighten restrictions on possession and use in public places, with fines for those who break the rules. This goes for tourist hotspots like Kuala Lumpur and Penang, so British travellers should be check the regulations before travelling, or leave vapes at home.
It’s better to be safe, than sorry.
