The Burrow
Sep 11, 2026
Vaping rates and the rules governing e-cigarettes vary considerably around the world. While some countries record the strictest vaping laws, others have higher prevalence or less comprehensive regulation.
As experts in health insurance comparison, Compare the Market analysed 53 countries using adult vaping prevalence, e-cigarette controls, heated tobacco product (HTP) controls and population-adjusted interest in quitting vaping. A higher overall score represents a stronger control profile and/or lower adult vaping exposure. The research relates specifically to vaping, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, rather than cigarettes or cigars.
Now, let’s find out more about vaping rates in Australia and the wider world.
Here are the top countries in our Global Vaping Index with their scores out of 100, where higher means a stronger vaping and heated tobacco control profile. The results provide a snapshot of vaping regulations by country, but they shouldn’t be interpreted as proof that a particular regulatory approach directly causes lower vaping rates.
The Netherlands ranks first due to its adult vaping prevalence standing at 3.9% and an e-cigarette regulation score of 16.5 out of 20. The country also records quit-vaping search demand of 1.74 per 100,000 people.
Slovenia combines an adult vaping prevalence of 3% with an e-cigarette regulation score of 16.0 out of 20.
India records 0% adult vaping prevalence in the source data and a HTP regulation score of 14 out of 20, which is the highest in the rankings.
Cambodia records 0% adult vaping prevalence in the source data, alongside an e-cigarette regulation score of 14 out of 20 and an HTP regulation score of 9 out of 20.
South Africa rounds out the top five. Adult vaping prevalence stands at 2.2%, while its HTP regulation score of 13 out of 20 is among the stronger results in the index, alongside an e-cigarette regulation score of 11 out of 20.
Australia ranks 35th out of 53 countries with an overall score of 53.51. The main index records vaping rates in Australia at 7% among adults, alongside an e-cigarette regulation score of 14 out of 20 and a HTP regulation score of 7 out of 20.
Australia therefore has one of the stronger e-cigarette regulation scores in the dataset. However, its comparatively higher adult vaping prevalence and lower HTP regulation score reduce its overall position. Meanwhile, search data identified 17,580 searches across the expanded set of quit-vaping terms.
Separate OECD vaping statistics in Australia records adult vaping prevalence at 5.7%, up 3.6 percentage points from the earlier comparison period. This OECD figure provides supporting context only and did not contribute to Australia’s index score.
Overall, there are some encouraging signs in Australia’s data. Its relatively strong e-cigarette regulation score and the 17,580 searches recorded across quit-vaping terms suggest there’s both a regulatory foundation and clear public interest in quitting vaping. This leaves plenty of scope for Australia to strengthen its position in the future.
Using the same measures, here are the countries that received the lowest overall index scores.
New Zealand is flagged as the country with the weakest vaping control profile, after receiving the lowest overall index score. Its adult vaping prevalence of 14% is the highest in the index, while its e-cigarette regulation score is 6.5 out of 20.
Czechia reports an adult vaping prevalence of 13.9%, the second-highest in the whole list and very close to New Zealand’s rate of 14%. Czechia also has a HTP regulation score of 6 out of 20 and an E-cigarette regulation score of 10 out of 20.
The UK is the third-weakest, showing an adult vaping prevalence of 10.4%, an e-cigarette regulation score of 9 out of 20, and an HTP regulation score of 4 out of 20. The UK also generated 41,330 searches across the expanded ‘quit vaping’ keyword set, although total search volume is supporting data rather than part of the index.
Among the countries with the highest vaping rates in the index, New Zealand (14%) is followed by Czechia at 13.9%, Estonia at 13.5%, Croatia at 12% and the United Kingdom at 10.4%. These figures illustrate how widely vaping prevalence by country can vary.
Estonia has the highest e-cigarette regulation score at 16.5 out of 20, but also some of the highest vaping rates. The Netherlands shares this regulation score with Estonia, followed by Slovenia at a score of 16. This is followed by Belgium, Cambodia and Australia, which each score 14.
However, the ranking isn’t intended to provide a definitive list of countries with the strictest vaping laws. Regulatory scores combine a range of policy measures and laws can change over time. This data should therefore be viewed as a comparative snapshot of vape laws around the world rather than legal guidance.
Youth data was available for a smaller selection of countries and did not contribute to the main index.
The highest youth vaping rates included Lithuania at 35%, Hungary at 33%, Bulgaria at 32.5%, Poland at 31% and Latvia at 28%. These figures represent the proportion of 15-year-olds reporting e-cigarette use during the previous 30 days.
Again, this is supporting data and therefore has not been used to rank countries where vaping is most common overall.
Overall, the Global Vaping Index highlights significant international differences in adult prevalence, regulation, and interest in stopping vaping. Though it doesn’t establish that one policy approach directly produces lower use, it does offer a way to compare how those factors currently differ between countries.
Steven Spicer, Compare the Market’s Executive General Manager of Health, says: “The vaping rates by country show that use and regulation vary considerably around the world, but it’s important for people to understand the potential health implications associated with vaping.
“When it comes to stopping vaping, consider seeking evidence-based support from an appropriate health professional. Preventative healthcare, including keeping up with regular health checks, can also play an important role in looking after your overall health.
“There is some coverage with health insurance extras that can cover some of the cost of smoking cessation programs and other health courses that a doctor might recommend for you as well. These can help you improve your overall health and lifestyle and can be worth looking into.”
The Global Vaping Index ranked 53 countries using four weighted measures:
Higher scores indicate stronger vaping and heated tobacco control profiles.
Supporting data including youth vaping, HTP prevalence, tax/excise measures and OECD comparator figures were not included in the final index score.
Sources:
A previous article on this topic for 2025 is available here.