WHO Says Vaping May Be as Harmful as Conventional Tobacco: 34 Countries Have Fully Banned It

Once promoted as a healthier way to quit smoking, e-cigarettes are now banned in many countries amid concerns that they may be “no different from conventional cigarettes.”

According to the World Health Organization, as of July 2023, a total of 34 countries—including Mexico, Brazil, and Norway—had banned the sale of these devices.

Another 87 countries—mainly in the West—have imposed restrictions on sales, such as banning certain flavors and online sales. Looking back to 2020, 79 countries had adopted such bans.

The United States—home to the world's largest e-cigarette market—has not implemented a nationwide ban, but there are signs of a shift at the state level, with five states banning the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.

The World Health Organization recently called for a ban on all flavored e-cigarettes and urged more “urgent” measures to curb the use of these devices. The organization noted that 74 countries still have no relevant regulations at all.

But even in places where e-cigarettes are banned, weak enforcement means these devices and their fruit-flavored varieties remain available.