Is Vaping Legal in Japan?

Is vaping legal in Japan? As a former employee of an e-cigarette shop in Tokyo, many foreigners come to me with various questions about Japanese e-cigarette culture, laws, and products. So I will use the most frequently asked questions as the basis for this article.
 
Is vaping legal in Japan?

Is vaping legal in Japan? No matter who you are, vaping is actually legal. Of course, in some specific places, vapers may be asked to put away their e-cigarettes, even in restaurants and bars where smoking is allowed.

If your e-cigarette produces a lot of vapor, it will inevitably be considered a disturbance to other customers nearby.

Vaping on the street is not illegal, but if you do so, you may receive some disapproving looks, especially from the older generation.

Generally, using e-cigarettes in designated smoking areas is more convenient.

In Japan, selling nicotine e-liquid is illegal. What this means is that you can use nicotine e-liquid, but you cannot buy it in Japan. This is because liquid nicotine found in e-liquids is considered a drug, so only certified pharmacies can sell it. If you live in Japan and want some nicotine e-liquid, you can order it online from overseas. The legal import limit for e-liquid in Japan is 120 milliliters per person per month.

Are e-cigarettes popular in Japan?

Although e-cigarettes are not as popular in Japan as they are in the United States, their popularity is steadily increasing. However, heated tobacco products like IQOS (owned by Philip Morris International) and e-cigarette capsule products like Ploom Tech (owned by Japan Tobacco) are becoming more widely known and used throughout Japan.

Can I bring my e-cigarette device on a plane?

When traveling, you need to place your e-cigarette device in your carry-on luggage and separate it from electronic devices when passing through customs.

Put your e-cigarette pods in a transparent plastic bag, while ensuring that your batteries are not exposed.

Another thing to remember is that different countries and airports have very different regulations regarding e-cigarettes.

I have a friend who brought his e-cigarette to Japan without any issues, but when he brought e-cigarette products to the airport in Singapore, they were confiscated.

So be sure to check all relevant regulations for the airport and country you are traveling to.