Is Vaping Allowed in Pubs?
By Neil Goddard
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Generally, vaping is not allowed in pubs. Whilst it isn’t illegal, as no UK law bans vaping indoors, most establishments have their own rules and don’t usually permit vaping inside. Large pub chains in particular enforce strict no-vaping policies indoors, often for the same reasons as the smoking ban: customer comfort, difficulty distinguishing vapour from cigarette smoke, and maintaining a food-friendly environment. That said, some independent pubs may take a more relaxed approach and allow vaping in designated areas.
Keep reading to learn more about the rules on vaping in pubs.
Does the smoking ban indoors apply to vapes?
There was a time when the sight of people smoking cigarettes in the pub was the norm. But the smoking ban of 2007 outlawed smoking indoors in all public places – including pubs. The ban was introduced to prevent non-smokers from suffering the negative effects of second-hand smoke.
The 2007 smoking ban doesn’t include e-cigarettes. However, because vapour can look similar to smoke, many pubs now treat vaping in a similar way to smoking.
What Are the Rules on Vaping in Pubs
If you’re wondering what the rules on vaping in pubs are, the answer depends on the type of pub and where you are. The table below gives a quick overview of the most common scenarios and what you should do in each case:
| |
|
Scenario
|
Is vaping allowed?
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What to do
|
|---|
| |
| |
|
Inside of Pubs
|
Usually banned
|
Check signage or check with staff before vaping
|
| |
|
Outdoor areas |
Typically allowed
|
Step outside if indoor vaping isn’t permitted |
If you’re unsure whether you can vape in pubs, the safest approach is to:
- Look for any signage in the pub.
- Ask staff directly if vaping is permitted.
- If no rules are displayed, assume vaping is not allowed indoors.
Read more: Is vaping in public legal?
Heated tobacco in pubs
Because the tobacco is heated but not burned as it is in conventional tobacco products such as cigarettes and cigars, heated tobacco does not fall under the indoor smoking ban. Instead, users should follow the same guidance as vaping in public places and always ask beforehand.
Can you vape in Wetherspoons?
Some pub chains such as Wetherspoons allowed vaping indoors when vaping was still relatively new to the UK. But vaping inside at Wetherspoons was banned due to staff having to spend an increasing amount of time checking that customers were vaping and not smoking conventional cigarettes.2 The Wetherspoons website now states:
“We do not permit the use of electronic cigarettes/vaporisers outside of the designated smoking areas on our premises. This includes hotel rooms and external areas.”
1 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/e-cigarettes-around-95-less-harmful-than-tobacco-estimates-landmark-review
2 https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2017/06/30/Up-in-smoke-the-rules-of-vaping-inside-pubs
