Help & Guidance

Is It Illegal to Vape Indoors?

Not in the way smoking is: the smoking ban covers tobacco, not vapes. But venues, workplaces and transport set their own rules. The position explained.

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A common question is whether it is illegal to vape indoors. The short answer is that vaping indoors is not against the law in the way smoking is, because the smoking ban applies to tobacco smoking, not vaping. However, individual venues, employers, landlords and transport operators set their own rules and can ban vaping on their premises, and many do. This guide explains the position, alongside our guide on the vaping law.

The smoking ban does not cover vaping

The law that bans smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces applies specifically to smoking tobacco, not to vaping. So vaping indoors is not illegal under that ban in the way lighting a cigarette would be. That is the key legal distinction, and it is why you sometimes see vaping treated differently from smoking.

Vaping indoors, the position

Point	Detail
Smoking ban	Applies to tobacco smoking, not vaping
Vaping indoors	Not illegal under that ban
Venue rules	Venues can prohibit vaping on their premises
Workplaces	Employers set their own policy
Transport	Operators usually ban it

But venues set their own rules

Not illegal is not the same as allowed everywhere. Shops, pubs, restaurants, workplaces, public transport, landlords and many other places set their own policies, and a great many choose to ban vaping indoors just as they ban smoking. If you vape where a venue prohibits it, you can be asked to stop or to leave. So the practical rule is to check and respect the policy wherever you are.

Vaping indoors is not illegal like smoking, because the smoking ban covers tobacco, not vapes. But venues, workplaces and transport set their own rules, so always check and respect them.

Do and don’t

Do

• Check whether a venue allows vaping
• Respect no vaping signs and staff requests
• Step outside or to a designated area if unsure
• Be considerate of others around you

Try not to

• Assume vaping is allowed everywhere indoors
• Vape on public transport, which usually bans it
• Ignore a venues policy or signage
• Vape around people who may not want it

Myths and facts

Myth	The reality
Vaping indoors is illegal like smoking	The smoking ban covers tobacco, not vaping, so it is not illegal in that way.
You can vape anywhere indoors	Venues, workplaces and transport set their own rules and often ban it.
No vaping signs are just advisory	Ignoring them can get you asked to stop or to leave.
The rules are the same everywhere	They vary by venue, employer and operator, so check locally.

Frequently asked questions

Is it illegal to vape indoors?

Not in the way smoking is, because the smoking ban covers tobacco smoking, not vaping. But venues can prohibit vaping on their premises.

Why is it treated differently from smoking?

The smoking ban applies specifically to tobacco smoking; vaping is not covered by that ban.

Can a venue stop me vaping?

Yes, venues, workplaces, landlords and transport operators set their own rules and can prohibit vaping.

Can I vape on public transport?

Operators usually ban vaping, so check and follow their rules; assume it is not allowed unless told otherwise.

What should I do if unsure?

Check for signs, ask staff, and step outside or to a designated area; respect the venues policy.

The bottom line

Vaping indoors is not illegal in the way smoking is, because the smoking ban applies to tobacco smoking in enclosed public places, not to vaping. That does not mean you can vape anywhere indoors, though, as venues, workplaces, landlords and transport operators set their own rules and many prohibit it. The practical approach is to check and respect the policy wherever you are, and to be considerate of the people around you.

More help and related reading

If this guide raised other questions, the Help and Guidance library has plain English answers to many more. The closely related pages below are worth a look, and you can always return to the main hub to browse every topic we cover. If you are unsure about a product or rule, our team and the official guidance are the best places to check.

• Legal age for vaping in the UK
• Can you vape in a hospital?
• How long does vape smoke stay in the air?
• Browse the full Help and Guidance library

Key things to remember

• The smoking ban covers tobacco, not vaping
• Vaping indoors is not illegal in that way
• Venues and workplaces set their own rules
• Many places do ban vaping indoors
• Always check and respect local policy

Why venues often ban it anyway

Even though it is not covered by the smoking ban, many venues choose to prohibit vaping indoors for practical reasons. Vapour clouds can bother other customers, it can be hard for staff to tell vaping from smoking at a glance, and some places simply prefer a consistent no vaping and no smoking policy. So a venue banning vaping is exercising its own rules, not enforcing the smoking law.

For you, that means the polite and sensible approach is to assume vaping indoors may not be welcome, look for signs, and ask if you are unsure. Stepping outside or to a designated area avoids any awkwardness and respects the people around you.

Where rules often apply

Place	Typical position
Pubs and restaurants	Often prohibit vaping indoors
Workplaces	Employer policy, often no vaping
Public transport	Usually banned
Shops	Often no vaping
Private homes	Up to the householder

A few more questions

Can I be fined for vaping indoors?

It is not an offence like smoking in banned places, but a venue can ask you to stop or leave if you ignore its rules.

Do and don’t

Do

• Check whether a venue allows vaping
• Respect no vaping signs and staff requests
• Use designated areas or step outside
• Be considerate of others

Try not to

• Assume it is allowed everywhere indoors
• Vape on public transport, which usually bans it
• Ignore a venues policy
• Vape around people who may not want it

Etiquette beyond the law

Because the law does not ban vaping indoors, a lot comes down to etiquette and respect. Even where a venue has no explicit policy, it is courteous to think about the people around you, vapour clouds and scents can be unwelcome, especially in shared or enclosed spaces, around food, or near children. Asking or stepping outside is rarely the wrong call.

Good etiquette also protects vapers generally, as inconsiderate vaping in shared spaces is part of why many venues introduce bans. Being thoughtful keeps vaping welcome where it is allowed and reflects well on vapers as a whole.

Law versus courtesy

Aspect	Guidance
The smoking ban	Does not cover vaping
Venue rules	Follow them; they vary
Shared spaces	Be considerate
Around food or children	Best to step away
If unsure	Ask, or step outside

More questions answered

Is vaping allowed in my workplace?

That depends on your employers policy; many workplaces treat vaping like smoking and provide a designated area, so check yours.

A couple more questions

Can my landlord ban vaping indoors?

Yes, a landlord can set tenancy terms on vaping, just as venues and employers set their own rules; check your agreement.

Is vaping banned in hospitals or schools?

Such places usually set strict no vaping policies on their premises; always follow the rules of the specific site.

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A quick word on safety and the law

Vaping and nicotine products are intended for adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. They contain nicotine unless stated otherwise, which is addictive, and they are not suitable for non smokers, pregnant women or anyone under 18. By law you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products in the UK, and we age verify every order. If you want to stop using nicotine altogether, your local stop smoking service offers free, tailored support.

UK public health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk free, and if you do not smoke the advice is not to start.

This guide is general information about UK rules as they currently stand and is not legal advice. Rules can change and individual venues set their own policies, so check locally and on GOV.UK if in doubt.