Swiss Vaping Laws 2026: Buying, Public Transport and Travel

Since 1 October 2024, the Swiss Tobacco Products Act (TabPG) has been in force, and it explicitly covers e-cigarettes, with and without nicotine. Here is what you need to know.

Buying: Minimum Age 18. Everywhere

The TabPG sets a nationwide minimum age of 18 years for buying e-cigarettes, with or without nicotine, in shops and online alike. Online shops must verify age. At iVape this means: an age check when entering the site, a mandatory date of birth with every order, and age may be verified again upon delivery.

Test purchases are explicitly permitted, violations can result in fines for points of sale.

Vaping on Public Transport: Banned Almost Everywhere

On trains, trams and buses, the smoking ban also applies to e-cigarettes. SBB prohibits vaping on all trains and, since the introduction of smoke-free stations, on platforms as well (outside marked smoking zones). Vaping on the train risks a fine, even though it is vapour, not smoke.

Indoor Spaces and the Workplace

The federal law on protection against passive smoking has been extended to e-cigarettes: vaping is generally prohibited in publicly accessible indoor spaces and at workplaces shared by several people. Restaurants and bars treat vapes like cigarettes. Some cantons have stricter rules, when in doubt: vape outside.

Advertising and Packaging

The TabPG also brings advertising restrictions: no advertising that reaches minors, no advertising on billboards, in cinemas or on public transport. Products must carry warning labels, which is why you will find this notice on every product page in our shop.

Nicotine Limits

For nicotine-containing e-liquids, Switzerland applies, analogous to the EU, an upper limit of 20 mg/ml. That is why practically all current vapes and liquids contain at most 20 mg/ml nicotine salt.

Travelling with Your Vape

On planes, vapes and spare pods belong in your hand luggage (lithium batteries are prohibited in the hold), and vaping on board is forbidden. For trips abroad, check the destination country's rules, some countries ban vapes entirely.

Disposal Is Mandatory

Vapes contain lithium batteries: they belong in e-waste collection, not in household waste. Swiss points of sale are obliged to take them back free of charge (ORDEE).

The Essentials at a Glance

• Purchase from age 18, nationwide, online and offline
• No vaping on public transport, in public indoor spaces, in restaurants
• Maximum 20 mg/ml nicotine
• Vapes in hand luggage, never in checked baggage
• Old devices to a collection point, never in the bin

This article does not constitute legal advice. As of June 2026.