In this article...
Updated 9th July 2025
- The rules for vaping in public are inconsistent, set by venue owners, not a single national law.
- It is banned on all public transport, including trains, buses, trams, and planes.
- Most pubs, cafes, and airports ban vaping indoors; always check the policy first.
- The new Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to create more official vape-free public spaces.
Figuring out where you can and can’t vape in the UK can be confusing. Unlike smoking, there isn’t a simple nationwide ban that applies everywhere. The law that outlawed smoking in public places doesn’t cover e-cigarettes, so the rules often change depending on where you are.
The decision on whether to allow vaping is left up to the owners of individual spaces, from pubs and cafes to train companies and airports. This has created a patchwork of different policies across the country, making it tricky to know what the rules are. This guide will walk you through the common policies for different public settings, so you know what to expect.
Vaping on Public Transport
If you’re planning to vape on your commute, the rules are generally straightforward: it’s not allowed. Virtually all public transport operators across the UK have implemented their own bans on the use of e-cigarettes.
Vaping on Buses and Trains
Major bus companies like Arriva[i] and Stagecoach[ii] explicitly forbid vaping at any time on their vehicles. The situation is identical on the railways. Network Rail, which manages major stations, doesn’t allow vaping on platforms or inside station buildings. Train operators like GWR[iii] and Northern Rail[iv] extend this ban to their trains. This is often for practical reasons; the aerosol from a vape can trigger sensitive smoke alarms[v], potentially halt a train and cause significant delays.
The ban also applies to tram services. Manchester’s Metrolink and Transport for London (TfL)[vi] prohibit vaping across their entire networks. In fact, TfL’s policy covers the Tube, buses, taxis, and private hire vehicles, applying to both passengers and drivers. Tyne and Wear Metro also announced a vape ban on all of their services from 1st July 2025.
Vaping at Airports and on Planes
Navigating airport and airline rules with a vape requires careful attention, as policies are strict and universally enforced.
Vaping At the Airport
Once you are inside an airport terminal in the UK, you cannot use your e-cigarette. All UK airports prohibit vaping indoors, treating it the same as smoking. If you want to vape before your flight, you must use the designated smoking areas located outside the terminal building. A handful of airports may offer an airside smoking area after you’ve passed through security, but these are increasingly rare and you should check the specific airport’s policy before you travel.
Airport Security and Vapes
When it comes to security, e-cigarettes in airports such as Gatwick, vaping devices must be carried in your hand luggage. They are banned from checked (hold) baggage due to the risk of the battery overheating. You’ll also need to ensure your device can’t be activated by accident, and your e-liquids must comply with the 100ml liquid restriction[vii].
Vaping In the Air
The rules for flying are simple: the use of e-cigarettes or any vaping device is completely forbidden on all airlines. While you must carry your device in your hand luggage, it cannot be used at any point during the flight.
Vaping Rules in Pubs, Cafes, and Restaurants
Unlike the clear-cut bans on public transport, the rules for vaping in pubs, cafes, and restaurants are less consistent. As vaping is not covered by smokefree legislation, it is currently up to the individual establishment to decide its own policy.
This means that while one pub might allow vaping, another next door may not. Most major pub and restaurant chains have opted to ban vaping indoors as a matter of company policy to ensure the comfort of all their customers. When in doubt, the safest approach is to assume you cannot vape and to always ask a member of staff before doing so. It’s also worth noting that even where vaping is permitted inside, it’s considered poor etiquette to vape at the dinner table.
Is It Illegal to Drive and Vape?
While we're on the topic of transport, it's worth noting that there are no specific laws against vaping in private vehicles. However, drivers must always maintain control of their vehicle, so vaping while driving could potentially be seen as a distraction and could lead to a £100 on the spot fine[viii]. This fine could rise to £5000 in more serious cases, or if contested in court.
A Discreet Alternative: What About Nicotine Pouches?
Given the extensive restrictions on vaping, particularly on transport and in hospitality venues, some are turning to other products for situations where e-cigarettes aren’t an option. One such product is the nicotine pouch.
These small, tobacco-free pouches offer a discreet way to use nicotine. You place a pouch between your lip and gum, which allows your body to absorb it. Since they produce no vapour or smoke, you can use them in places that forbid vaping and smoking—like an aeroplane, a train, or a pub—without drawing attention or disturbing others.
For those looking for a quality option, Totally Wicked nicotine pouches offer a convenient solution. Available in classic Mint and Spearmint flavours, they come in three distinct strengths (6mg, 9mg, and 12mg), allowing you to select the perfect level to suit your needs.
Top Tips for Travelling with Your Vape
- Check Before You Go: Policies can change, so check with the airport or transport operator before you travel.
- When in Doubt, Don’t: If you’re unsure if you can vape, it’s best to wait until you’re in an area where you know it’s permitted.
- Pack Wisely: When flying, always pack your vape device and batteries in your carry-on luggage.
- Know the Liquid Limit: Ensure your e-liquids comply with the 100ml rule for airport security.
- Consider Alternatives: For long journeys or places with strict bans, nicotine pouches can be a convenient, temporary alternative.
The Future of Vaping in Public and The Tobacco and Vapes Bill
The current patchwork of rules for vaping in public could soon be simplified by new legislation. The government has introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill[ix], which proposes giving ministers the power to make most public places and workplaces that are already smoke-free also vape-free.
This could mean that vaping inside pubs, cafes, and other indoor venues would be banned by law, rather than just by company policy. The government has stated its primary focus for new outdoor bans will be on protecting children, with areas outside schools, in children’s playgrounds, and around hospitals being the likely first targets[x].
The bill represents a significant shift in vaping regulation. It aims to balance preventing youth uptake with allowing adult smokers to use vapes as a quitting tool. A full consultation will determine the final details, but the direction is clear: the spaces where you can vape will become more restricted.
References
[i] https://help.arrivabus.co.uk/faqs/north-west-and-wales/using_bus/smoking
[ii] https://www.stagecoachbus.com/help-and-contact/faqs/can-i-use-my-ecigarette-on-the-bus
[iii] https://www.gwr.com/help-and-support/faqs/travelling-with-gwr
[iv] https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/northern-warns-sly-vapers-to-give-it-up-or-get-off-the-train-after-receiving-dozens-of-complaints
[v] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2p012090do
[vi] https://content.tfl.gov.uk/11-15-smoking-e-cigarettes-policy.pdf
[vii] https://www.gatwick-airport-guide.co.uk/e-cigarettes.html
[viii] https://www.arnoldclark.com/blog/advice/vaping-while-driving
[ix] https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2024/11/05/the-tobacco-and-vapes-bill-what-you-need-to-know/
[x] https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/c4gpe9l47jdo
