the legal status of e-cigarettes worldwide

[Christopher]

Since I discovered electronic cigarettes a couple of months ago, I have been quite intrigued by how they are sweeping the market and the number of brands entering the market. As can be expected a product which is so close to being a medicinal product / electronic gadget / tobacco product, authorities of countries aren’t quite sure how to deal with the e-cig. I compiled an overview of the legal status of the e-cigarette across countries worldwide. Remarkable is the difference between certain countries, ranging from a complete ban in countries such as Hong Kong and Singapore and completely no restrictions in countries like UK. My guess is that the FDA is currently reviewing e-cigs in the USA, so at the moment they’re completely legal but can’t be marketed as smoking cessation devices. Will be interesting to follow these developments and to see the results of the FDA testing of the e-cigarettes! If you have any updates on this list, please let me know and I will edit it! Just leave a comment on this post, thanks!

Australia: the sale of e-cigarettes containing nicotine is illegal.

Austria: e-cigarettes are considered to be medical devices, whereas nicotine cartridges are considered medicinal products. E-cigarettes therefore need to be CE-marked (as New Smoke is), and nicotine cartridges need to be registered as medicinal products before either can be sold.

Canada: authorities are investigating whether or not electronic cigarettes can be used in areas with a smoking ban.

Denmark: e-cigarettes are considered to be medical devices, whereas nicotine cartridges are considered medicinal products. E-cigarettes therefore need to be CE-marked (as New Smoke is), and nicotine cartridges need to be registered as medicinal products before either can be sold.

Finland: e-cigarettes purchased from overseas is allowed given it is for personal use. The (intended) sale of nicotine cartridges is illegal.

Hong Kong: possession or sale of electronic cigarettes is illegal.

Jordan: electronic cigarettes are illegal

Netherlands: the use of e-cigarettes is allowed, but advertising is forbidden.

New Zealand: nicotine cartridges can only be sold as registered medicinal products.

Singapore: possession or sale of electronic cigarettes is illegal.

Thailand: possession or sale of electronic cigarettes is illegal.

United Kingdom: unrestricted use of electronic cigarettes.

United States: unrestricted use of electronic cigarettes. FDA is investigating whether the e-cigarette should be classified as a medical device.

From: http://quit-smoking-cigs.com/