Can you vape in Turkey?

Yes for personal use, but Turkey is a unique case. The sale, import and production of vape products has been banned since Presidential Decree 2149 took effect on 24 February 2020. You cannot buy vapes in Turkey but you can bring your own under a personal-use exception: 1 device plus 30ml of e-liquid, or up to 10 disposables. Indoor vaping is banned just like smoking.

The unique Turkish position

Turkey is unlike any other country UK visitors will encounter. The combination of an import ban, a production ban (no approvals granted) and a personal-use exception creates a regulatory grey zone. Using a vape is legal. Buying one in Turkey is not. The result is that virtually no formal vape retail exists.

Presidential Decree No. 2149, issued on 24 February 2020, banned the importation and sale of novel tobacco products for trade purposes. Personal-use imports remained legal under Circular No. 2020/7, with specific quantity limits. The combination effectively shuts down legal retail while preserving tourist access.

Personal use: Legal. You can possess and use a vape in Turkey.
Sale and import for trade: Banned. No commercial vape retail exists.
Production: Requires approval from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. No approvals have been granted.
Advertising: Banned under tobacco-control framework.
Legal age: 19, not 18. Same as the legal age for buying tobacco in Turkey.
Online purchase: Cannot be ordered to a Turkish address.

The customs allowance

Turkey's personal-use exception is precisely defined. UK travellers should know the limits before flying. Exceeding them risks confiscation and customs problems.

Personal-use allowance

1 vape device per person, plus cartridges or solutions up to 30ml total e-liquid. OR up to 10 disposable e-cigarettes in total.

Why limits matter

Customs at Istanbul (IST), Antalya (AYT), Bodrum (BJV) and other airports do scan for vape devices. Bulk amounts will be treated as suspected smuggling.

If you exceed limits

Confiscation is the standard response. Devices and liquid surrendered at customs. No fine for a single device above the limit if surrendered, but commercial-looking quantities can trigger criminal investigation.

Disposables and the UK

Disposables are banned for sale in the UK from 1 June 2025. They are still legal to take to Turkey for personal use (within the 10-disposable limit) but cannot be re-imported to the UK on return. The UK ban covers personal use.

The practical strategy for UK visitors: bring exactly what you need for your trip, no more. Disposables are limited to 10. If you use refillable pod kits, bring one device plus enough pre-bottled liquid within the 30ml total limit. Pack vape kit in your hand luggage as usual.

Where you can and cannot vape in Turkey

Turkey's Law No. 4207 on the protection of public health from tobacco smoke is interpreted to cover e-cigarettes. The general rule: wherever smoking is banned, vaping is banned.

Enclosed public spaces

Banned. Restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, shopping centres, government buildings all banned for both smoking and vaping.

Public transport

Banned. Trains, buses, the Istanbul Metro, IDO ferries and intercity coaches all prohibit vaping.

Covered outdoor areas

Banned. This includes covered terraces, awnings over outdoor seating, covered walkways and similar. Strict interpretation than some UK visitors expect.

Hotels

Most ban vaping in rooms. Cleaning fees of around 1,000 TL (about £20 to £30) are common but can be higher in resort hotels. Designated outdoor smoking areas at most hotels permit vaping.

Beaches and outdoor spaces

Generally allowed. Beach vaping is widely tolerated at the popular Antalya, Bodrum and Mediterranean coast resorts.

Conservative areas and religious sites

Be discreet. Smoking and vaping near mosques or in conservative neighbourhoods can attract negative attention even where not formally banned.

Taxis

Banned. Turkish taxis follow workplace smoking rules. Drivers will refuse to start.

Hire cars

Personal vehicles fine. Hire cars: most rental agreements ban smoking and vaping with cleaning fees.

Airport landside areas

Banned in terminals. Designated outdoor smoking areas outside terminals permit vaping.

Ramadan considerations

During Ramadan, public eating, drinking, smoking and vaping during daylight hours is considered disrespectful in some areas, particularly outside major tourist resorts. Be discreet.

Practical tips for visiting Turkey

Bring everything you need for the trip. There is no legal vape retail in Turkey. You cannot buy a replacement device, coils or e-liquid.
Stick to the personal-use allowance: 1 device plus 30ml of e-liquid, OR up to 10 disposables. Bulk amounts will be confiscated.
Pack vape kit in hand luggage as usual. Lithium batteries cannot go in checked baggage.
Declare your vape kit at customs if asked. The personal-use allowance is recognised by Turkish customs.
Do not buy from unofficial markets. Underground markets in Turkey sell unregulated, sometimes counterfeit and dangerous vape products. Avoid entirely.
Indoor vaping is strictly banned. Step outside to designated smoking areas.
Vaping in covered outdoor areas (terrace awnings, covered walkways) also banned. Look for genuinely open-air spaces.
Be discreet in conservative areas and near religious sites.
During Ramadan (early-to-mid March in most years), avoid public vaping during daylight outside major tourist resorts.
Customs at Istanbul, Antalya and other airports do scan for vape devices. Single devices are usually fine but commercial quantities cause problems.
If your device is taken at customs, you will usually surrender it without a fine. Do not argue or attempt to hide it.

What about disposables specifically?

UK travellers face a particular question about disposables after the 1 June 2025 UK ban. Here is how this works in practice for Turkey trips.

Outbound (UK to Turkey): You can take up to 10 disposable vapes through Turkish customs under the personal-use exception. Disposables remaining in UK private use are not illegal to possess but you cannot legally buy them.
Return (Turkey to UK): If you have leftover disposables from your Turkey trip, you can bring them back to the UK for personal use. The UK ban covers sale and supply, not personal possession.
Recommendation: Switch to a refillable pod kit before travelling. Same convenience, fully legal in both directions, less risk of confiscation if you exceed disposable limits at Turkish customs.

The bottom line

Vaping is legal for personal use but you cannot buy in Turkey

Sale, import and production banned since February 2020. No legal vape retail exists. Bring your own kit and supplies.

Stick to the customs allowance

1 device plus 30ml liquid, OR 10 disposables. Bulk amounts will be confiscated. Personal use within the limits is recognised by customs.

Use the same etiquette as smoking

Indoor and covered outdoor vaping banned. Be discreet in conservative areas. Beach and open-air vaping generally fine.

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Travel Guides

UK vaping rules for transport and accommodation, plus country-by-country guides for popular destinations.

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Age Verification

Can you vape in Turkey?

The unique Turkish position

The customs allowance

Where you can and cannot vape in Turkey

Practical tips for visiting Turkey

What about disposables specifically?

The bottom line

Travel Guides

Can you vape in Turkey?

The unique Turkish position

The customs allowance

Where you can and cannot vape in Turkey

Practical tips for visiting Turkey

What about disposables specifically?

The bottom line

Travel Guides