With those
Backpackers preparing for summer vacations, packing their luggage to bring with them is also a big dilemma. But did you know that bringing e-cigarettes to countries like Thailand can get you fined or even jailed?
The Seychelles, Brazil and Argentina have also banned e-cigarette sales, but global sales continue to rise.
These charts show a growing industry – so how many vapers are there? How much are they spending? And why are they so popular?
1. The popularity of vaping is widespread
According to the latest WHO figures, the number of smokers is showing signs of gradually decreasing, estimated to have decreased from 1.14 billion in 2000 to 1.1 billion now.
But when it comes to vaping, that's another matter.
Vaper Number Statistics Table
The number of vapers has grown at a dizzying rate, from about seven million in 2011 to 35 million in 2016.
Market research group Euromonitor predicts the number of adults who vape will reach nearly 55 million by 2021.
2. E-cigarette sales increase
As the number of vapers increases, the e-cigarette market is also expanding.
The global market for vaping products is estimated to be worth around $22.6 billion, up from $4.2 billion five years ago.
The markets in the US, Japan and UK are the largest. Vapers in these three countries spend around $16.3 billion on vaping products.
Consumption index of the 10 largest vape markets
The e-cigarette market in European countries such as Switzerland, Italy, Norway and Germany also ranks in the top ten.
3. Open system e-cigarettes are popular
There are two main types of e-cigarettes, open system and closed system, also known as self-filling tanks and disposable tanks.
In the open system tank, the user fills the essential oil into the tank himself. This type of tank also has a removable mouthpiece.
Consumption chart between pod mod and regular devices
Closed-system e-cigarettes have pre-filled pod tanks that are either attached to or separate from the battery-filled body of the device.
Since 2011, the spending gap between these two items has widened.
It's estimated that this year, vapers will spend about $8.9 billion on open-system e-cigarettes, double what they spend on closed-system (like pod mods).
4. Most vape devices are purchased in stores
According to a report by Ernst & Young, the majority of e-cigarette users choose to buy their devices in specialized stores.
In 2015, 35% of e-cigarette users surveyed in the UK, France, Germany, Finland, Italy, Russia and South Korea usually ordered their vapes from an e-cigarette shop.
Consumer buying habits statistics table
Of the more than 3,000 users surveyed by Kantar for Ernst & Young, 21% said they bought their devices online.
It is widely assumed that consumers will want to buy their first vape device in-store, to familiarize themselves with the new product and seek advice on which device might be best suited to them.
The UK's largest e-cigarette market is estimated to have more than 2,000 vape shops.
5. Why do customers choose vape?
According to a survey by Ernst & Young, the most common reason people give for choosing e-cigarettes is because they are safer than regular cigarettes.
About 49% of users said they used e-cigarettes to quit smoking traditional cigarettes.
Reasons to vape statistics table
PHE's latest report on vaping highlights the evidence that e-cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes, and there is no evidence yet that vaping could lead to young people becoming curious about tobacco.
The agency has also recommended that e-cigarettes should be available on prescription, because of their role in helping people give up smoking.
The agency also said e-cigarettes should be included in recommendations for people quitting smoking, because they do have this effect.
