Electronic cigarettes—also known as nicotine vapes—are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid into an aerosol for inhalation. The liquid may contain nicotine, flavourings and other ingredients. Unlike conventional cigarettes, vapes do not burn tobacco or produce tobacco smoke.
In our 2024 report, we found that the legal status of nicotine vapes varies widely and continues to change. Some countries regulate them through dedicated legislation, others include them within general tobacco laws, while in some places their legal status remains unclear or they are not covered by a specific regulatory framework.
Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) are currently unregulated in 27 countries.
They are: