Vaping has surged in popularity across Australia, with over 1.7 million Aussies using e-cigarettes in 2024, per Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). However, for the 1.5 million Australians visiting Bali each year, a stark reality awaits: vaping is illegal in Indonesia, including Bali, under strict regulations. Recent incidents, like the 2019 detention of Australian model Tori Hunter for carrying prescription drugs, highlight Bali’s zero-tolerance stance on restricted items, and vaping devices face similar scrutiny. With Indonesia’s tightened customs laws and a 2025 crackdown on tourist behavior, Aussies risk fines, jail, or deportation for bringing vapes to Bali. This article explores why vaping is banned, the risks for Australian tourists, and how to navigate Bali’s laws in 2025.

Why Vaping is Popular in Australia

Vaping has become a cultural staple in Australia, particularly among younger demographics:

• Usage Stats: AIHW reports 22% of Aussies aged 18–24 vape regularly, with 1.7 million users nationwide in 2024.
• Health Appeal: Many use vapes as a smoking cessation tool, with 60% of users citing quitting cigarettes as their reason, per Cancer Council Australia.
• Accessibility: Despite Australia’s 2024 prescription-only vape laws, disposable vapes remain widely available in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, costing $20–$30.
• Social Trend: X posts with #AussieVape show vibrant communities sharing flavors and devices, with brands like IGET and HQD trending.

However, Australia’s strict regulations, requiring prescriptions for nicotine vapes since July 2024, pale in comparison to Bali’s outright ban, creating a trap for unaware tourists.

Bali’s Ban on Vaping: Understanding the Law

Indonesia classifies vaping devices and e-liquids as controlled substances under its 2018 tobacco regulations and 2022 customs laws. Key points include:

• Legal Status: Vaping is illegal without a permit, which is nearly impossible for tourists to obtain. Both possession and use are prohibited.
• Customs Enforcement: Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport uses thermal scanners and manual checks to detect vapes, with 226 foreigners involved in crimes in 2024, per The Guardian.
• Penalties: Offenders face fines up to 1 million rupiah ($95 AUD), confiscation, or up to 7 years in prison for smuggling, similar to drug offenses.
• Cultural Context: Bali’s conservative standards, enforced under Governor Wayan Koster’s 2025 directives, view vaping as disruptive, with public use considered disrespectful.

A 2023 Tripadvisor forum post noted vapers being asked to move from public areas in Bali, with locals citing second-hand vapor as inconsiderate, reinforcing cultural sensitivities.

Recent Incidents Involving Australians

Bali’s strict laws have caught Aussies off guard, with vaping incidents mirroring high-profile drug cases:

• Tori Hunter Case (2019): The Adelaide model was detained for four days after customs found prescription drugs, highlighting Bali’s rigorous checks. Vapes face similar scrutiny, with authorities confiscating devices at Denpasar Airport.
• Drug Crackdowns (2025): Bali police arrested 285 people, including an Australian, for drug-related offenses in April–June 2025, with vapes often flagged during raids.
• Tourist Misbehavior: A 2025 Daily Mail report detailed two Australian tourists wheeled back to their hotel in Thailand after excessive drinking, underscoring Bali’s broader crackdown on disruptive behavior, including vaping.

These cases, amplified on X with hashtags like #BaliTravel, show growing awareness but also confusion among Aussies about what’s allowed.

Risks for Australian Tourists in Bali

For the 1.5 million Aussies visiting Bali annually, per Karryon, vaping poses significant risks:

• Customs Seizures: Vapes and e-liquids are confiscated at entry points, with travelers facing fines or detention.
• Public Use Penalties: Using vapes in public spaces, like Kuta Beach or Ubud cafes, can lead to fines or police intervention, as noted in Tripadvisor forums.
• Deportation Risk: Repeat offenders or those caught with large quantities may face deportation, with 130 foreigners deported in Q1 2025 for various infractions.
• Cultural Offense: Vaping in sacred areas, like temples, violates Bali’s 2025 “Do’s and Don’ts” guidelines, risking community backlash.

Aussies like those in Sydney’s Bondi or Melbourne’s Fitzroy, accustomed to casual vaping, must adjust to Bali’s conservative norms to avoid trouble.

How to Travel Safely to Bali in 2025

To avoid vaping-related issues, Australian tourists should follow these steps:

1. Leave Vapes at Home: Do not pack vaping devices or e-liquids, as they’re illegal without permits. Use nicotine patches or gum, available at Australian pharmacies like Chemist Warehouse.
2. Complete the e-CD Form: Fill out Bali’s electronic customs declaration (e-CD) within three days of arrival to declare all items, avoiding penalties.
3. Check Smartraveller: Review Smartraveller.gov.au for updates on Indonesia’s laws, which advise a “high degree of caution” due to strict regulations.
4. Respect Local Customs: Avoid vaping or smoking near temples or public spaces, adhering to Bali’s 2025 waste and behavior directives.
5. Prepare for Health Checks: Complete the SATUSEHAT Health Pass for mpox screening, as required since August 2024, to ensure smooth entry.

Tip: Contact the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra (02 6250 8600) to verify regulations before travel, as advised by Smartraveller.

Alternatives for Vapers in Bali

For Aussie vapers, alternatives to stay compliant include:

• Nicotine Replacement Therapy: Use patches or gum, legally available in Australia with a prescription, to manage cravings.
• Smoking Areas: Traditional cigarettes, while regulated, are permitted in designated areas, unlike vapes. Check with your hotel for smoking zones.
• Mindful Travel: Focus on Bali’s cultural attractions, like Ubud’s rice terraces or Seminyak’s beaches, to distract from vaping urges.
• Consult a Doctor: Before traveling, discuss cessation options with your GP, as Australia’s vape prescription laws align with Bali’s restrictions.

Bali’s Broader Crackdown on Tourist Behavior

The vaping ban is part of Bali’s 2025 push to curb tourist misbehavior, driven by Governor Wayan Koster’s “no mercy” approach:

• Crime Surge: A 16% increase in foreigner-related crimes (226 cases in 2024) has prompted more police patrols in Kuta and facial recognition at borders.
• Tourist Tax: A $10 levy, introduced in 2024, may rise in 2025, with non-payers denied access to attractions.
• Cultural Respect: Bans on climbing sacred trees, nude photos, and littering aim to preserve Bali’s heritage, with deportation for violators.

Australia’s Vaping Laws vs. Bali’s Ban

Australia’s vaping regulations, tightened in July 2024, require prescriptions for nicotine vapes, aligning with Bali’s strict stance:

• Australia: Vapes are legal with a prescription for smoking cessation, available at pharmacies like Chemist Warehouse. Non-nicotine vapes are less restricted but still regulated.
• Bali: All vapes, nicotine or not, require permits, making them effectively illegal for tourists.
• Travel Implications: Aussies accustomed to vaping legally in Melbourne or Sydney must adapt to Bali’s zero-tolerance policy to avoid legal trouble.

The Future of Vaping and Travel in Bali

Looking ahead, Bali’s vaping ban is likely to persist:

• Stricter Enforcement: With 6.5 million tourists expected in 2025, per The Guardian, Bali will intensify customs checks and patrols.
• Cultural Preservation: Governor Koster’s focus on “quality tourism” may lead to more bans on disruptive products like vapes.
• Health Alignment: As Australia tightens vape laws, Bali’s ban aligns with global trends toward stricter nicotine regulation.
• Alternative Tourism: Bali may promote wellness-focused travel, like yoga retreats in Ubud, over party-centric activities associated with vaping.

By 2026, expect advanced border technology, like facial recognition, to further deter illegal items, ensuring Aussies plan carefully.

Conclusion: Stay Safe and Vape-Free in Bali 2025

Vaping, a popular product in Australia with 1.7 million users. Is illegal in Bali, posing risks of fines, jail, or deportation for Aussie tourists. With 1.5 million Australians visiting Bali annually, understanding its strict customs laws. Enforced through thermal scanners and police patrols, is crucial. Leave vapes at home, complete the e-CD form, and follow Smartraveller.gov.au guidelines to avoid trouble.