17 February 2024 , 20:00
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Don't let your penchant for puffing on a watermelon flavoured elfbar get you in trouble with the law - and empty your wallet.
It seems like wherever you are in the UK, a cloud of fruit scented nicotine follows you. Just like smoking cigarettes, vaping in prohibited places (including aeroplanes, public transport, hospitals etc) can result in a hefty fine. But, when you're behind the wheel - what are the rules for vaping? Are you allowed to have a cheeky stoke on your sour blueberry Lost Mary if you're nipping to the supermarket, or should the car always be a smoke-free zone?
Vape expert Markus Lindblad of Haypp says whilst vaping in cars is technically not illegal, it is certainly not advised. "Vaping could obscure vision or distract from the road," he added.
"There are some grey areas on this topic as the 'driving without due care' law could come into play if the vapour has restricted vision to the point of it being dangerous." In this case, drivers risk having nine points added to their licence and can be fined a maximum of £5,000.
It is worth noting that anything that significantly reduces a driver's visibility can be considered a driving offence. The same laws that penalise drivers for having a windscreen or windows obscured by dirt or snow, for example, can be applied to those whose view is obstructed by vape smoke. In the UK, this law falls under Section 41D of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
They look and taste like sweets - no wonder underage vaping is sweeping Britain
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We may be soon seeing less vapers driving on the roads, as the government confirmed last month it plans to completely ban disposable vapes to stop kids becoming addicted. The new rules, which are slated to come into effect next year, will see the end of throwaway devices which have long attracted criticism from environmentalists. While E-cigarettes can be helpful for smokers wanting to ditch tobacco, there is grave concern that the habit is being taken up by those who have never had cigarettes.
In fact, research found that half of those aged between 18 and 24 who use disposable vapes do so despite no history of smoking. "Vapes should only ever be used as a tool to quit smoking," said Health Secretary Victoria Atkins. "But we are committed to doing more to protect our children from illicit underage vaping, and by banning disposable vapes we're preventing children from becoming hooked for life."
Should smoking in cars be banned altogether? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below