In the UK, there are various rules on where you can and can't smoke. But many people don't realise that this also applies to vaping with it being a pretty grey area. To help people avoid being slapped with a fine - that could be in the region of £5,000, vaping expert from Vape Globe , Markus Linblad, is breaking down the correct rules on where you can and can't vape in the UK to help avoid any confusion and serious fines.
In general, festivals have their own rules around vaping, but you can expect the guidelines to be similar to the rules surrounding smoking. For example, vaping out in the open might be allowed, but not in any enclosed spaces. According to the expert, some festivals - such as Reading and Leeds - have banned disposable vapes since 2023, so it's important to check the festival website for what you can and can’t bring, before going.
When you are driving, motorists should never vape as whilst it is legal to do so, it's not advised as vaping could obscure vision or distract from the road, and thus cause an accident. There are some grey areas on this topic as the ‘driving without due care’ law could come into play if the vapour has restricted vision to the point of it being dangerous. If this is found to be true, you risk up to nine points on your licence and a maximum £5,000 fine.
Similar to cigarettes, using vapes on a plane is banned on flights and can set off alarms in the toilets - so don't try and hide to try a sneaky puff! Failure to comply may result in a fine or even criminal charges. The expert further warns that there are also sometimes restrictions as to how many vapes you can carry per person. This depends on the airline so to avoid causing any flight delays, check the company's specific rules before packing your bags.
An option when flying is nicotine pouches, which are smokeless and allowed on a plane. Linblad further states that large venues such as football stadiums or music arenas may have varying rules when it comes to vaping. Large venues, such as Wembley, do not allow vaping, however that is not to say that it is banned from all venues.
As always, it's safer to check the rules of each place to know whether vaping is restricted or not. Vaping is generally banned on most forms of public transport, including planes, trains, buses and trams. Some cruises may have designated smoking and vaping areas, but it’s generally banned in public spaces.
You are mostly allowed to carry a vape on public transport but if you are using this transport to visit another country, you may find that it is illegal and will have it confiscated upon arrival, he warns. In his final warning to those who vape, NHS trusts and service providers will review local policies and government advice and therefore have varying policies. This includes designated areas within the hospital grounds and buildings where e-cigarette use is allowed or prohibited.
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