Vaping and Public Spaces Etiquette

Vaping is not allowed in airports, falling under the same rules as smoking. Most airports in the UK have dedicated smoking areas, so you will need to find one of these to take a draw. Keep in mind that vape juices will fall under the liquid limits on flights, too – anything over 30ml cannot be in your hand luggage.

Every pub is different. Most pubs will ban vaping outright, and you will likely spot some no-vaping and no-smoking signs within the pub itself. In some cases, pub landlords will allow vaping within their premises – it is not outrightly banned like smoking is. To stay on the safe side, always ask a member of staff before taking a draw when you are in a pub.

Vaping at a concert depends on the venue. Most large venues have banned vaping outright. However, smaller, more independent venues may allow people to vape. You can look up whether a venue has banned vaping in advance or ask a member of staff while you are there.

While being a part of a virtual meeting does not technically fall under being in a public space, vaping etiquette during this time can be a bit hazy. You are not in the same room as the people you are having a meeting with, so you might assume that taking a couple of puffs should be fine – but is it, really?
To stay on the safe side, always keep your vape out of meetings, even ones done virtually. The reason is to keep team meetings professional – your work superiors may not find your vaping acceptable. Some companies may even have a policy banning vaping during online meetings. However, there is no strict ban on this as a whole, so it's best to ask your manager directly.

If you are ever unsure whether vaping is allowed – ask! The worst thing that can happen is you are told no and have to step outside to take a puff. Vaping without asking first may lead to a fine in certain places. Plus, you don't want to make others feel uncomfortable. So, whether you are staying in a hotel or at your friend's house, always get permission before taking a draw.

Never blow vapour in a person's face, whether you know them or otherwise. Be mindful of where you blow the vapour, always aiming in the direction of the fewest people. If you are in a crowded environment, it's best to wait until you have more space before taking a puff.

To play it safe, treat vaping as you would smoking. Sure – the vapour isn't as smoky, harmful, or obvious as tobacco smoke, but that doesn't mean everyone is okay with it. By treating vaping like smoking, you avoid causing any public discomfort, and you will always stay on the right side of the law.

The UK implemented new smoking bans in 2007, where it became illegal to smoke in indoor public spaces, including pubs and public transport. This was a major milestone in UK law and meant that people who did not smoke were not subject to harmful second-hand smoke in public spaces.
Vaping does not fall under this law, mainly because vaping was nowhere near as common as smoking in 2007 – it has since boomed in popularity. Plus, vaping does not expose people to as many chemicals compared to smoking, so bystanders won't be in much danger from standing too near someone vaping compared to someone smoking a cigarette.

e-liquids

Already, many public spaces do not allow you to vape within their premises. It is not outright banned by the law, however. Many vapers are worried that this will change sometime in the future; that vaping will fall under the exact same restrictions as smoking. As of right now, there is no indication that will occur, although nobody can guess the future with any certainty!
One upcoming law surrounding vaping to be aware of is the Tobacco and Vapes Bill of 2025, which completely bans the sale of disposable vapes from 1st June 2025 onwards to benefit public health. Other new laws within this bill include a new tax on e-liquids and stricter age restrictions.

As you have likely gathered, vaping in public spaces is generally not permitted, with only a couple of places making exceptions. This can be difficult for some vapers, especially those used to taking a nicotine hit when they need to.
So, what are the alternatives? While you may not be able to vape in an airport or on a bus, there are other nicotine products that you can use:

Nicotine Patches

Nicotine patches have been around for many years, and they are still as useful as ever. They are simple to use; you simply place the patch onto your skin for a steady release of nicotine that keeps your cravings low. You can wear them for up to a full day.

Nicotine Gum

Nicotine gum is a special type of gum that contains nicotine. This one is popular as it keeps your mouth busy, so you won't find you want to reach for your vape as much when chewing on it. You can find several flavours of nicotine gum, too.

Nicotine Pouches

Nicotine pouches are small bags that contain nicotine and other flavourings, which you can place next to your gums for a fast-acting hit of nicotine. These usually last thirty minutes, but some brands make nicotine pouches that last up to an hour. Many vapers and smokers love these alternatives, as they not only give you a nicotine hit but also involve a sort of ritual that helps people get out of the habit of taking a drag or a puff. Plus, the additional flavourings make them more enjoyable than nicotine patches.

Nicotine pouches