Where can I vape? Everything you need to know about UK vaping laws

Whilst there’s strict rules on where you can and can’t smoke in the UK, the law’s a little different for e-cigarettes. Here’s everything you need to know about UK vaping laws.

What is the legal age to vape in the UK? 

Just like smoking, you have to be 18 to vape in the UK. In 2015, it became illegal for retailers to sell e-cigarettes or e-liquid to anyone under the age of 18. It’s also against the law to buy or try to buy vape products for anyone under the age of 18.

Most reputable vape retailers use the Challenge 25 scheme. It’s a retail strategy set up to encourage anyone who’s over 18 but looks under 25 to carry acceptable ID when purchasing alcohol, cigarettes or vape products. It requires retailers to ID more frequently, decreasing the risk of accidental underage sales. 

If a retailer is caught selling e-cigarettes, e-liquids and any other vape products to under 18s, the offence carries a £2500 fine. 

Are you allowed to vape whilst driving?

It’s not illegal to vape whilst you drive. However, you could be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention if you’ve got huge vapour clouds obscuring your vision. The police have advised against vaping whilst driving, and have said that vapers could risk fines and driving penalties if they’re distracted whilst using an e-cigarette. 

If you or your passengers vape whilst you drive, you should open your windows to allow the vapour to escape. It would also be wise to use a mouth-to-lung vape kit with a high PG e-liquid whilst you’re behind the wheel, as these produce much less vapour compared to Sub-Ohm vaping. 

Can you vape on public transport?

Vaping is not covered by smokefree legislation, so it isn’t technically illegal to vape on public transport. Despite this, most operators have prohibited e-cigarette use on most public transport for safety reasons and the comfort of other passengers. 

Many train operators have also banned vaping inside stations and on platforms, so it’s always best to check before you fire up your e-cig. Airline companies also have strict rules against vaping on planes and within airports. You can take your vape kit and a certain volume of e-liquid in your hand luggage, but you aren’t allowed to vape on planes. Many airports have designated smoking areas, but not all do, so it’s best to check before you fly. 

Are you allowed to vape at work?

Again, there’s no laws against vaping indoors, so it’s up to individual employers to set their own rules. Being a vaping company, we’re pretty lucky in that we’re allowed to puff on our e-cigs freely in the office. More workplaces are beginning to allow vaping at your desk, and many others have set up designated break rooms for it. 

If you start a new job, ask your employer about their regulations on vaping. If they don’t have any specific rules, it might be a good idea to speak to them about setting up some sort of framework, whether that’s allowing you to vape at your desk or creating a specific zone for it. 

Can you vape in a pub or restaurant?

It depends on the individual pub. Wetherspoons, for example, have banned vaping inside all their pubs, so you know for certain that you can only vape in the smoking area when you head out for a cheeky spoons. 

Independent pubs will have their own policies on it, so it’s best to check before you start vaping. In general, you can’t vape inside a restaurant, but most will be fine with you vaping in their smoking area. 

If you’re ever unsure about whether you can vape indoors or not, just ask a member of staff. Need to get your hands on an MTL vape kit for your car or the office? No problem. We’ve got a range of top-quality devices and £1 e-liquids to match. We also offer free next day delivery on all order over £15, so you’re never left waiting around for your One Eliquids purchase!