It is illegal to smoke in a vehicle carrying anyone who’s under 18, but does that include vaping?
Vaping… all you need to know
Smoking has been banned in motors carrying -18s since October 1, 2015, but where does the law stand on vaping in these circumstances? Here’s all you need to know.
So, is it illegal to vape in motors with -18s present?
While this is the case for smoking tobacco-based products in most vehicles, it doesn’t actually apply to those who are using e-cigarettes – or vaping as it’s commonly known.
The smoking in cars with anyone under 18 law does not apply to the following:
e-cigarettes (vaping)
a driver who is 17 years old if they are on their own in the car
a convertible car with the roof completely down
So, I can carry on vaping then?
Well not quite, according to cops. Wafting out huge plumes of the vapour associated with vaping while driving could land you with a hefty fine – as well as putting yourself and other road users at risk.
But you said vaping was legal?
Vaping with -18s in a vehicle is legal – for the moment – but Sergeant Carl Knapp of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit said: “The smoke caused by vapes are a distraction and the consequences of them can be dire, all it takes is a moment to become distracted and potentially cause a crash and even worse, a fatality.
“’There are no laws prohibiting vaping – however, you need to be in full and proper control of your vehicle at all times.”
Driving with your vision obscured by vapour could leave you open to a charge of driving without due care and attention – and worse should you cause an accident.
Drivers could be fined up to £2,500
So, it’s probably best not to drive and vape?
That certainly seems the message being given out by the UK’s cops.