As we navigate through 2024, there's a significant buzz surrounding vaping rules in the UK and the government's proposed legislation that may reshape the landscape for both users and businesses involved in the industry. Understanding these changes is crucial, whether you’re an avid vaper, a business owner, or simply interested in public health policies.

The UK's regulatory approach towards vaping has always been cautious yet balanced, aiming to minimise potential health risks while providing an alternative for smokers seeking to quit traditional cigarettes.

As of 2024, several key vaping rules are in place:

1. Age Restrictions: Selling vaping products to individuals under 18 remains illegal. Retailers must verify customer age before selling these products.
 
2. Advertising Rules: E-cigarette advertising is restricted across various media, including television, radio, and online platforms, to prevent undue influence on young people and non-smokers.

3. Packaging and Warning Labels: Stricter packaging requirements mandate clear health warnings and limit the nicotine content in e-liquids, ensuring consumers are well-informed.

4. Public Place Usage: Vaping in enclosed public spaces is subject to local laws, similar to smoking regulations, which means that in many areas, vaping indoors is prohibited.

Knowing the rules and regulations surrounding vaping is key to ensuring you vape safely and respectfully and avoid getting into trouble! In this blog, we’ll examine some of the key conversations surrounding vaping rules, how to approach them as a vaper, and what changes we expect to see over the next few months.

Why Are Smoking Rules and Vaping Rules Different?

Smoking has been scientifically proven hundreds if not thousands of times to be incredibly bad for your health, your wealth, your environment and those around you. Passive smoking is just as harmful for those inadvertently breathing in your smoke as it is for you as a smoker; basically, they both have the potential to cause respiratory problems and cancer. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has indeed classified a number of the chemicals found within tobacco cigarette smoke as being toxic and as having the potential to cause cancer.

Vaping is different altogether. Not only has it been shown to be at least 95% less harmful than smoking, but it has also been promoted as such by Public Health England. PHE is an independent government group that educates the public on all matters relating to personal health and proactively works to reduce harm. This means they are very anti-smoking and keen to see people quit. Their review into vaping, released back in 2018, has gone a long way in terms of debunking vaping myths.

With these distinctions in mind, it is easy to see why vaping rules and smoking rules are so very different.

In the UK, the perception of vaping in public tends to vary, but there is a significant portion of the population that views it as a nuisance, particularly in public spaces.

One primary concern among non-vapers is the presence of secondhand vapour, which, although typically less hazardous than secondhand cigarette smoke, can still be discomforting to inhale. Even if the health risks are lower, the sight and smell of vapour can be off-putting, especially for those with respiratory issues or allergies. It’s not uncommon to hear complaints from individuals who feel that their personal space is being invaded by vape clouds, particularly in places where they are in close proximity to others, such as public transport or indoor facilities.

Does Vaping Impact A Smoke Free Environment?

The odour associated with vaping, while generally more pleasant or neutral than the smell of cigarette smoke, can also be problematic. E-liquids come in various flavours, and what one person finds enjoyable, another might find unbearably sweet or strong. This can lead to discomfort and irritation, especially in places like restaurants or cafes, where people are dining and prefer a smoke-free environment. The expectation in many public venues is that the air should be clean and free of any intrusive smells, which is undermined when someone vapes nearby.

Public etiquette plays a crucial role in shaping how vaping is perceived. With the increasing push towards smoke-free environments, many people expect similar restrictions to apply to vaping. This is seen in the policies of many businesses and public transport providers, who often have specific rules banning vaping, mirroring rules for traditional smoking. These measures reflect a broader societal preference for environments where both smoking and vaping are restricted to designated areas so non-users can avoid exposure entirely.

Health considerations also impact the perception of vaping. Although public health bodies like Public Health England have indicated that vaping is considerably less harmful than smoking, there are still some concerns. Continued research has led to conflicting opinions about the long-term effects of vaping, adding an element of uncertainty that can make people wary. As a result, there is a tendency to treat vaping with similar caution as traditional smoking, especially among parents and in family-friendly public places.

Let’s take a closer look at specific public spaces and the vaping rules that surround them.

It is not (yet) illegal to drive in your car and vape; however, if you fill your car with vapour, making it hard to see clearly, you are not driving safely. If you are vaping and driving when in an accident, there is a very good chance that you could be looking at a dangerous driving charge. Drivers face a £100 fine for careless driving if police believe that the driver has failed to control their vehicle because of smoking or vaping. In more serious instances, drivers could face a maximum £5,000 fine, up to nine penalty points and even a driving ban.

We advise practising safe vaping when driving and ensuring your vape does not pose any distractions to you when on the road. Sub-Ohm vapers or high VG vapes, especially, should avoid vaping in the car as this type of vaping produces larger, thicker vapour clouds.

When travelling abroad, you need to consider several things. Firstly, what vaping rules does the airline you are flying with have in place? Vaping is not allowed while on the airplane; however, most airlines are fine with you travelling with e-cigarette devices, disposable vapes and e-liquids, provided the e-liquids are stored as per liquid rules for flying and the e-cigarette is held in carry-on luggage as opposed to being held in the hold. In order to make your journey through booking and security smoother, check these rules in advance and pack accordingly.

Other vaping rules you need to consider when travelling abroad include whether or not vaping is actually allowed where you are going. While seeing vapers on the street is common here in the UK, it is not always so common or even acceptable elsewhere. Some countries still have a strict ban on vaping, which means vaping at all when there is a no-go. Do check this out before travelling, as ignorance of the rules is no defence. Having your vaping kit taken away from you and a hefty fine being issued is likely in some areas, though more serious consequences could occur in some locations.

If in doubt, don’t vape if your destination doesn’t allow it or choose to travel elsewhere.

To find out more, read our guide: Vapers Guide to Air Travel and Vaping Abroad.

When it comes to vaping and outdoor events, it is not illegal to vape in public, although each individual business or venue owner has the right to decide whether vaping is allowed. If you are heading to a festival or other outdoor event, it is your responsibility to check whether vaping is allowed. Generally, it is allowed at open-air events but not in enclosed spaces such as covered tents. However, you need to check!

Vaping And Outdoor Event Etiquette

Smoking tobacco cigarettes and vaping are clearly different. The general public understands the difference more and more with each passing day, thanks mainly to the number of public awareness campaigns and Public Health England’s support of vaping. That doesn’t mean that non-vapers want a faceful of flavoured vapour when attending their favourite outdoor concert or other event, though.

While your favourite dessert-flavoured e-liquid is a delight to you, the chances are that there will be others who don’t want to be wrapped in your big vape cloud, and we can’t blame them. When it comes to vaping and outdoor events, the general rule of thumb is to be considerate of those around you. Don’t vape in a queue or heavily populated area.

If you are a high VG e-liquid fan or sub-ohm vaper, especially, you will know that your e-cigarette has the potential to create a lot of vapour, so be mindful of this when choosing where to vape at these events. If vapers don’t employ proper vaping etiquette, there is always a chance that event organisers will ban vaping in the future, which doesn’t help anyone. Be polite and aware of people around you when vaping outdoors. If in doubt, ask those around you if they mind if you vape. Avoid filling that area with thick vapour, and take ownership of your own vaping kit and any rubbish that needs to be discarded.

While vaping is not governed under the Go Smoke-Free legislation of 2007 (the law that makes it illegal to smoke at work, in public buildings and structures and on public transport), there are still restrictions, albeit not legal. Employers can ban vaping and smoking at work, i.e. on work premises.

As vaping continues to gain popularity worldwide, workplaces face the challenge of establishing policies and rules regarding using vape kits and vaping devices on their premises.

Many organisations have recognised the need to address vaping in their workplace policies. Employers implement explicit guidelines outlining their vaping stance to ensure clarity and consistency. These include definitions of vaping devices, rules on where vaping is permitted or prohibited, and potential disciplinary actions for non-compliance. Employers also emphasise the importance of effective communication to ensure all employees know the vaping policies in place.

Designated Vaping Areas

Some workplaces have designated areas where vaping is permitted to accommodate employees who vape. These areas are often designed to be well-ventilated, separate from non-vaping areas, and comply with local regulations and health standards. The aim is to minimise the impact of vaping on non-vaping employees while providing a space for those who choose to vape.

If you are starting a new job, it is always best to check the company policy before vaping in or around your new working space. While it is likely that there will be a space to vape, some workplaces are stricter than others, and you don’t want to risk possible disciplinary action.

No one wants to be the person who sets off the fire alarm in a public space. If you're a smoker, you may be familiar with the frustration of setting off a smoke alarm when you light up. However, if you've recently switched to vapes, you may be wondering if they also have the potential to trigger smoke alarms.

While vapes produce vapour rather than smoke, they still have the potential to trigger smoke alarms. This is because smoke alarms are designed to detect the presence of particles in the air, including those produced by vapour.

However, the likelihood of a vape setting off a smoke alarm is relatively low. This is because the amount of vapour produced by a disposable vape is typically much less than the amount of smoke produced by a traditional cigarette.

Additionally, many modern smoke alarms are designed to differentiate between smoke and vapour and are less likely to be triggered by vapour from a disposable vape. However, it's still important to be cautious when using a vape near a smoke alarm.

How to Avoid Setting Off Smoke Alarms with Disposable Vapes

If you're concerned about setting off a smoke alarm while using a vape, there are several things you can do to minimise the risk.

●    Avoid using your disposable vape near a smoke alarm, especially in a small or enclosed space. If possible, use your vape outside or in a well-ventilated area.

●    Take smaller puffs when using your disposable vape, and exhale the vapour slowly to minimize the amount of vapour in the air.

●    Make sure that your smoke alarm is installed and working properly. Regularly test it to ensure that it is functioning correctly and replace the batteries as needed.

Your approach to vaping is going to shape the opinions of the non-vaping public. Due to bad press and disinformation, vaping is already seen as an antisocial activity by some. With vaping coming under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators, we all need to take steps to improve the public image of vaping.

With sub-Ohm starter kits and VG e liquids on offer at amazingly low prices, anyone can now fog up a pub doorway or street corner with a mega-cloud of sweet-scented vapour. Many non-vapers aren’t aware that e-liquid vapour doesn’t contain the harmful carcinogens of cigarette smoke. The average person in the street just sees a vape cloud as an unpleasant invasion of their air space.

With some basic good manners and a little consideration, we can all do our bit to improve the public image of vaping. This whole approach can be summed up as ‘responsible vaping’.

Good And Bad Places To Vape

When you vape at home, you lay down the ground rules. That makes home the ideal place for a relaxed, hassle-free vape. E-juice vapour doesn’t stain the décor, and the odour generally clears quickly with a little fresh air. If you have non-vaping visitors, check that they’re OK with vaping. If you have any doubts, just show a little consideration and vape when they’ve left.

Even if you are vaping at home, you need to take special care around kids and pets. Always remember that e-liquid has a sweet odour which is likely to be attractive to kids and pets. The nicotine in e-liquid can be fatal if drunk by a child or pet. Even the Propyl Glycerin (PG) in e-liquid vapour can harm dogs and cats. Consider all of these risks, and make sure that you don’t leave any of your vaping gear where kids and pets can find it.

Vaping outdoors is great – particularly if you are out in the countryside on a sunny afternoon. Vaping in the city needs a little more care. Taxi queues, bus stops and shop doorways are all hot spots where you’re likely to upset someone. In all of these situations, it’s best to avoid inflicting your exhaled vapour on the public. For similar reasons, vaping on any kind of public transport is best avoided – even if there are no specific ‘No vaping’ signs or other regulations.

How To Be A Responsible Vaper

The unwritten rules of responsible vaping are actually pretty simple – just use basic common sense and good manners. Even though there are no known risks from breathing second-hand vapour, a lot of people still find it very unpleasant. Always ask before vaping around strangers. If you get the opportunity, try to explain the benefits of vaping without preaching. Being friendly, open, and considerate could also help improve the public image of vaping and avoid unnecessary anti-vaping legislation.

It would be remiss to speak about the rules of vaping without mentioning the proposed vaping ban. In March 2024 the UK government introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which included a ban on disposable vapes as well as a new tax on vape e-liquids.

The government had said the ban would come into force on 1 April 2025. Retailers would have had six months to make the required changes, including;

●    Reducing the use of flavours designed to appeal to children

●    Introducing plain packaging

●    Change the way vapes are displayed in shops - move them behind the counter.

Retailers will also face larger fines if they are caught selling vapes to under-18s.

What will the impact of a vaping ban be?

Implementing such a ban would have widespread repercussions:

Economic Impact: The vaping industry in the UK is substantial, contributing to economic activity and employment. A complete ban could lead to significant financial losses and business closures.
 
Consumer Reaction: Vapers who have successfully transitioned from smoking to vaping might face challenges, as the accessibility of their preferred alternative would be curtailed. This could potentially lead them back to smoking cigarettes, undermining public health goals.

Black Market Concerns: Stringent bans could result in the rise of a black market for vaping products, which could bypass all existing safety regulations and pose a higher risk to consumers.

What Lies Ahead?

As we await the final decision on the proposed ban, it is essential for stakeholders to stay informed and engage in the public discourse. Participation in consultations, sharing personal experiences, and voicing opinions can potentially influence the outcome in ways that balance public health priorities with individual freedoms and market realities.

The vaping debate in the UK highlights broader issues concerning public health, regulation of emerging products, and the challenges of protecting youth while respecting adult choice. As 2024 unfolds, the future of vaping in the UK hangs in the balance, and only time will reveal the path that policymakers choose to take.

Stay tuned to our blog for regular updates on this evolving issue and more insights into how it might affect you.