The Burrow
Dec 8, 2025
Evidence on the health impacts of vapes, also referred to as e-cigarettes, is growing. While the World Health Organization acknowledges that long-term health effects are not fully known, there is evidence that e-cigarettes produce toxic substances linked to cancer and increased risk of heart and lung disorders.1
But countries are fighting to reduce vaping prevalence in their populations. The health insurance comparison experts at Compare the Market wanted to investigate which countries are leading the way in this fight by creating a Vaping Reduction Index. The index analyses 55 countries’ prevalence of e-cigarette/vaping use, public interest in quitting, the strictness of regulations and enforcement, and tax excise scores, before giving each country a score out of 10.
So, which countries are leading the way? Let’s dive in.
| Rank | Country | Quitting interest | Vaping prevalence | Regulatory Strictness | Tax Excise Score | Index Score |
| 1 | Australia | 27.75 | 7.00% | 16 | 4 | 7.50 |
| =2 | Portugal | 1.12 | 1.00% | 10 | 3 | 7.08 |
| =2 | Vietnam | 0.26 | 0.20% | 11 | 4 | 7.08 |
| =2 | India | 0.05 | 0.02% | 16 | 4 | 7.08 |
| 3 | Bangladesh | 0.07 | 0.20% | 16 | 4 | 7.03 |
| 4 | Argentina | 0.35 | 1.10% | 15 | 4 | 6.76 |
| 5 | Mexico | 0.24 | 2.20% | 16 | 4 | 6.34 |
Australia is the world leader in reducing the use of vapes, scoring 7.50 out of 10 on our index. Interest in quitting in Australia was the highest across the index, with 27.75 searches per 100,000 of the population.
It also has strict enforcement and bans on vaping products, scoring a maximum of 16 for its regulatory strictness on prescription-only access, stringent retail restrictions, full advertising bans and severe penalties for illegal sale and possession.
Reducing the 7% of adult vaping prevalence appears to be a key goal of the country’s federal and state governments.
Grabbing equal second spot in our index are India, Vietnam and Portugal, which all scored 7.08.
India is another country with strict regulations in place for the sale of vapes, advertising and penalties for illegal sale and possession. Quitting interest in India was one of the lowest in the index, but this correlates with its very low vaping prevalence of 0.02% and the strong bans enacted since 2019.
Portugal scored well across all four factors in the index. The European country has a low vaping prevalence of only 1% and a hefty excise of 50% on vaping products, making it one of nine countries imposing this tax. Its regulatory strictness score was also at the higher end, but its limited prescription and retail restrictions lowered its final total in this factor to 10.
Vietnam’s regulatory strictness isn’t as strong as India’s, despite it also having a full ban in place. This is due to the lack of enforcement of prescription-only access requirements and the continued allowance of online device sales, restricting it from finishing higher in the index. Vietnam also scores well for its extremely low vaping prevalence of 0.20%.
Finishing just behind India, Vietnam and Portugal in third with a score of 7.03 is Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is another country heavily cracking down on the use of vapes, scoring a full 16 in our regulatory strictness factor and having a full ban on importing and selling in place.
Just 0.20% of the country’s 114 million adult population are currently vaping, and 0.40% have tried it, showing its crackdown is helping keep rates down.2,3
Argentina comes in fourth in our index, scoring 6.76 out of 10. The South American nation scored 15 out of a possible 16 for its regulatory strictness; its only blemish being the moderate penalties for illegal sale and possession of e-cigarettes.
Argentina’s government has had a ban on the sale, advertisement, distribution and importation of e-cigarettes and related products since 2011!4
The length of the ban shows how seriously the country’s leaders wish to limit vaping, and it seems to be doing a solid job, with only 1.1% of the population currently using e-cigarettes.
Completing the top five of our index is Mexico, which scored 6.34 and edged out the Philippines, Romania and Slovenia (all scoring 5.97).
The North American country scored strongly in regulatory strictness (highest score of 16) and for tax excise (4) due to its full ban on the sale, distribution, exhibition, promotion and manufacturing of vapes.
Mexico’s vaping prevalence currently sits at 2.2%, which is much lower than that of its North American neighbour, the United States.
| Rank | Country | Quitting interest | Vaping prevalence | Regulatory Strictness | Tax Excise Score | Index Score |
| 55 | France | 0.45 | 8.30% | 6 | 0 | 1.85 |
| 54 | Ireland | 19.52 | 11.20% | 3 | 0 | 2.55 |
| 53 | USA | 14.15 | 9.60% | 3 | 0 | 2.59 |
| 52 | Croatia | 2.85 | 12.00% | 6 | 0 | 2.73 |
| 51 | Slovakia | 1.66 | 3.00% | 3 | 0 | 3.01 |
France takes the unfortunate crown of being the index’s worst country for reducing vaping.
The European country had low quitting interest (0.45 searches per 100,000 people), no excise tax on vaping products, a high vaping prevalence (8.30%) and a low regulatory strictness score of 6. This culminated in France scoring just 1.85 out of 10.
Coming in second-last in our index with a score of 2.55 is Ireland. This low score was due to having the second-highest vaping prevalence, a low regulatory strictness score of 3 and no excise tax on vaping products.
Ireland’s low regulatory strictness score was due to having no prescription requirements or enforcement, minimal retail restrictions, a partial ad ban and no penalties for illegal sale or possession.
The United States of America was ranked the third-worst in our index, scoring just 2.59.
The USA’s vaping prevalence, which was on the higher end of the countries analysed, the lack of regulatory strictness (scoring 3 out of 16), and the absence of excise taxes were the reasons behind its low ranking.
Compare the Market’s General Manager of Health, Steven Spicer, said it was pleasing that several countries are leading the charge in reducing vaping.
“The health risks of vaping are still emerging, however, what we do know is concerning, meaning prevention is key,” he said. “That’s why countries like Australia, India, Vietnam and Portugal are leading the charge with tough regulations.
“Vaping might seem less harmful than smoking, but the reality is we don’t yet know the full long-term effects. Countries that act now, through bans, taxes, and education, are investing in healthier futures for their population.”
Spicer added that making informed health choices is more important than ever, especially as concerns around vaping continue to grow.
“Health insurance providers are already factoring in lifestyle risks like smoking and vaping,” he said. “Reducing vaping prevalence isn’t just good for public health, but it can also help keep future healthcare costs down.
“Compare the Market can help Australians compare health insurance policies from a range of providers, so you can look for cover that suits your lifestyle and budget.”
The index analysed 55 countries to determine which are better positioned to reduce vaping prevalence, considering the prevalence of e-cigarette/vaping use, public interest in quitting, the strictness of regulations and enforcement, and tax excise scores as factors for the final score.
Once the data for the factors above were collected, they were normalised to assign each factor a score between 0 and 10. The normalised values were then averaged to give each country a total score out of 10. The countries were then ranked from highest to lowest, based on their total scores.
The data for the index was gathered from the below:
All data is correct as of 24/11/2025. The ranking data shown is a compilation of multiple data sources and may not be representative of real life. All data is accurate with regard to the sources provided.
Sources: