Vaping Is Fully Banned in Mauritius — Here's What It Costs You

Mauritius has established itself as one of the toughest countries in the world when it comes to e-cigarettes and vaping — and if you're a tourist or expat planning to bring a vape device to the island, you need to know the rules before you land. **The Law: A Total Ban** The legal framework is the Public Health (Restrictions on Tobacco Products) Regulations 2022, which came into force in 2022–2023. These regulations replaced earlier 2008 rules and go significantly further: they prohibit the manufacture, importation, distribution, and sale of all e-cigarette devices, liquids, and accessories — regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not. This is not a partial restriction. It is a comprehensive ban on the entire vaping ecosystem. Certain provisions were phased in gradually: rules on plain (neutral) packaging and reporting obligations applied to products manufactured or imported from 31 December 2022, and to products sold from 1 March 2023. In that same year, Mauritius became the **first African country** to adopt the World Health Organization's (WHO) plain tobacco packaging standard — a milestone in public health policy on the continent. **No Exemption for Tourists** One of the most important — and often misunderstood — aspects of the law is that **there is no personal use exemption**. Tourists travelling to Mauritius are subject to exactly the same rules as commercial importers. Carrying a vape pen in your luggage is treated the same as importing products for sale. The ban covers: - All e-cigarette devices and accessories - E-liquids, with or without nicotine - Vaping in enclosed public spaces - Vaping in workplaces - Vaping on public transport **What This Means for You** If you vape and are visiting Mauritius, you should leave your device at home. Bringing one through Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport — or any other entry point — could expose you to the same penalties as a commercial importer, which can include substantial fines. For residents and locals, the rules are equally strict. Using an e-cigarette in any enclosed public space — including offices, restaurants, and buses — is prohibited. For health advocates, this positions Mauritius among the most progressive jurisdictions globally in tobacco and nicotine control, aligned with the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. **Why Mauritius Has Taken This Stance** Mauritius has consistently aligned its public health policy with WHO recommendations. The move to plain packaging — removing branding and logos from tobacco products — is designed to reduce the appeal of smoking, particularly among young people. Extending that logic to vaping products, which have been aggressively marketed with flavours and designs that appeal to youth, reflects a precautionary public health approach. Source: ION News