“Electronic Cigarettes” in Japan May Not Mean What You Think
Hello everyone.
Today, I’d like to talk about something that often confuses foreign visitors in Japan:
👉 electronic cigarettes.
When you hear:
👉 “electronic cigarette,”
what do you imagine?
For many people outside Japan:
👉 vape products with flavored liquid may come to mind.
However:
👉 in Japan, the meaning is often different.
In many cases:
👉 when Japanese people say “electronic cigarette,”
they are actually talking about:
👉 heated tobacco products.
These include brands such as:
- IQOS
- glo
- Ploom
Unlike many vape devices:
👉 these products use real tobacco sticks and heat them electronically.
In other words:
👉 they still contain actual tobacco and nicotine.
So:
👉 if you ask for “electronic cigarettes” at a Japanese convenience store,
staff may respond with:
👉 “IQOS? glo? Ploom?”
Why?
Because:
👉 in Japan, this is often what people assume you mean.
What About Vape Products?
This part surprises many visitors.
In Japan:
👉 nicotine-containing vape liquid is generally not sold domestically.
Why?
Because:
👉 Japanese law restricts the sale of nicotine vape liquid.
As a result:
👉 most vape products legally sold in Japan are:
👉 nicotine-free.
For many Japanese people:
👉 nicotine-free vape is often seen more like:
- a flavor device
- a relaxation product
- or even a smoking alternative
rather than a traditional cigarette.
This legal situation is also one reason why:
👉 Japan became one of the world’s largest markets for heated tobacco products.
So:
👉 if you are looking for nicotine vape products,
please understand:
👉 what is common in your country may not be easily available in Japan.
Also:
👉 before buying a heated tobacco device in Japan,
please check:
👉 whether the same product and tobacco sticks are available in your home country.
Otherwise:
👉 buying the device in Japan may end up being useless after you return home.
Next time:
👉 I’ll explain the differences between IQOS, glo, and Ploom
and which one may be easier for travelers to buy in Japan.
See you next time!
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