Check Before You Pack Your Vape

Meggan: [00:00:00] Hey everyone, and welcome back to the Travel Mug Podcast. We are here for Travel Tip Tuesday, and like thanks for joining us. How are you this fine Tuesday?

Jenn: Oh, this wintery Tuesday. Dreaming of a trip South, Meggan.

Meggan: Yes. That we never booked.

Jenn: No, no, we, Nope. Same. Same. We're not going south, but some people are. Yeah.

Meggan: Yeah, and good for them.

Jenn: Yeah.

Meggan: Happy for them.

Jenn: Yeah.

Meggan: Speaking of that, we do have some news to share for travelers going to Mexico, and if this doesn't affect you directly, it likely will affect someone you know, so just stay tuned. So, as of January 16th, 2026, the Mexican government has deemed it illegal to bring in vaping devices into their country. It is literally considered a federal violation. This rule isn't just for travel. This is actually a rule for the entire country itself, including importation, sale and distribution of vaping products. Now, you [00:01:00] might be asking, well, what does vaping products, like, what does that include? So essentially it is vaping devices and e-liquids, including nicotine-free and CBD. So everything to do with vaping, really, can't get much clearer than that,

Jenn: Hmm.

Meggan: I don't think. Another important point to mention is that there are zero exceptions to this, including no medical exceptions.

Jenn: Hmm.

Meggan: You can't bring one. We don't care what your reason is. So at the airports, they are using X-ray technology to detect these devices, and if you are caught, you could risk confiscation of the device, of course, and a fine estimated between $200 and $500 USD. I have no idea why I was given an estimated amount. That seems sketchy to me,

Jenn: Yep.

Meggan: whatever. And in the worst-case scenario, it could lead to detention or a prison sentence.

Jenn: Don't wanna mess with that.

Meggan: No.

Jenn: No.

Meggan: If you are arriving in Mexico on a cruise ship, leave your vape [00:02:00] on the ship. This law is for all of Mexico, and this includes cruise ship ports. So these devices are illegal in Mexico, now. Leave it home, and if you choose to risk it, you do so understanding now the potential consequences. Please share with your friends and family in case they're going, and it could affect them.

So, Jenn, what are your thoughts on this ban? As we know, a few years ago, Mexico banned public smoking, so I can't say that I'm shocked. What about you?

Jenn: Yeah, I mean, I, I'm also not shocked. This is why it's so important to do your research before you travel anywhere. So, uh, I, this, this news story that popped up recently about, about Mexico banning e-cigarettes and vaping prompted me to be like, okay, where else, you know? And vapes are also banned in many other countries. India, Brazil, Thailand, many others, actually. So make sure you check before you pack. I would recommend, for like the most up-to-date information that you check travel advisories with your local government [00:03:00] website. So, for instance, I checked, uh, travel.gc.ca here in Canada. And it has information about smoking, and if you can bring e-cigarettes and vapes with you into the country. I also found an article that I can link in the show notes, but it is from 2024, so it might not have the most up-to-date-information, but it might give you an idea of, uh, the many countries that are starting to ban this. So it is something that if you, uh, vape, you need to keep in mind before you pack.

Meggan: Yeah, definitely. And I think this just really goes back to the point that we hammer home all the time about doing your research. It's very important. And that is it for this week's travel tip Tuesday. Don't say we didn't warn you! Don't be like Meggan and Jenn, why didn't you tell us about this? Well, here we are. Um, and as always, please, when you are traveling, respect the laws of the country you are visiting. And vaping, it's simply not worth going to jail for.

Jenn: No.

Meggan: No, you can find us, not vaping, over on [00:04:00] Instagram, Facebook and YouTube at Travel Mug Podcast at our website travelmugpodcast.com. And we would love to hear from you, so you can always drop us a line or support the show through Buy Me a Coffee. The link is in the show notes. And until next time, safe travels and bye.

Jenn: Bye