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Can you vape in pubs? What UK law says, and what is coming
The smoke-free law does not cover vaping, gov.uk says, so a pub's no-vaping rule is its own. What that means, and where vape-free plans stand.
Can you vape in pubs? Only where the pub allows it. The smoke-free law does not ban vaping indoors: gov.uk says it does not apply to e-cigarettes and that employers can decide whether they can be used on their premises. A pub’s no-vaping sign is house policy, not a legal ban carrying a fine.
Is it illegal to vape indoors in the UK?
The Health Act 2006 made smoking in enclosed workplaces and public places in England illegal, and gov.uk’s Smoking at work: the law, as this desk read it on 18 October 2026, says that law does not apply to e-cigarettes. DHSC’s consultation text, dated 13 February 2026, says no legislation currently restricts where someone can use vapes, and notes pubs setting their own no-vaping policies.
What a smoking breach costs, and a vaping one does not
| Breach | Penalty on gov.uk | Covers vaping? |
|---|---|---|
| Worker smoking at work | Up to £200; up to £50 in Scotland | No |
| Business not stopping smoking | Up to £2,500 | No |
| Business without no-smoking signs | Up to £1,000 | No |
| Scotland business fixed penalty | £200, up to £2,500 if unpaid | No |
| Vaping against a pub’s rule | None in the pages read | House policy |
Can you vape in pubs after the Tobacco and Vapes Act?
The Local Government Association says the Act has Royal Assent and lets Government extend smokefree and vapefree zones in public outdoor areas following consultation. DHSC’s February press release proposed that indoor spaces already smoke-free in England would also become vape-free, subject to consultation, with pub gardens excluded. The consultation proposed at least six months between regulations being made and taking effect. On 18 October 2026 its page said DHSC was analysing feedback, with no outcome posted. The consultation said devolved governments would consult separately.
Related: the age of sale and vaping on a plane.
Questions readers ask
Can I vape in Wetherspoons?
This desk did not read JD Wetherspoon’s own policy, so none is stated here. The law leaves it to each operator: gov.uk says employers can decide whether e-cigarettes can be used on their premises. Check the signs or ask at the bar first.
Can I get thrown out of a pub for vaping?
Possibly, if the pub bans it. A no-vaping rule is set by the premises, not the smoke-free law, so what follows a breach is down to the pub’s own rules. gov.uk’s fines are for smoking; none of the pages this desk read attaches a fine to vaping.
Where can I vape at a UK pub?
Wherever the pub allows it, inside or out. DHSC’s proposals leave pub gardens and outdoor hospitality out of scope, so even if indoor vape-free rules are made in England as proposed, the garden would not be covered by them. Ask staff where vaping is allowed before you start.
Nicotine is an addictive chemical, and this guide is for adults who already vape.