Is it illegal to smoke and drive? Contrary to the popular driving myth, it's not illegal to smoke and drive. The Highway Code doesn't make it a specific offence to smoke while driving in a vehicle used primarily for private purposes, any more than it's a specific offence to change a CD, read a map or eat.
If you are in your own car and any passengers you may have are 18 or over, it is perfectly legal to smoke in a car – but you should not allow the act of smoking to distract you from the task of driving.
“There are no laws prohibiting vaping, however, you need to be in full and proper control of your vehicle at all times. If you are going to vape, I advise that you open your windows and blow the vapour directly out, just ensure that you are in full control of your vehicle before doing so.”
Smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces has been illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since 2007 and in Scotland since 2006. This has resulted in significant improvements in public health, particularly for children and led to changes in behaviour and attitudes towards smoking.
On October 4, 2023, the United Kingdom's prime minister, Rishi Sunak, announced his intention to introduce a new law that would prohibit the sale of cigarettes in England to individuals born after January 1, 2009.
A smoking ban in England, making it illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces in England, came into force on 1 July 2007 as a consequence of the Health Act 2006.
In other parts of the world, like the US, you can find disposables with strengths up to 5% nicotine—50mg/ml—but this nicotine strength is not legal for sale in the UK. We highly recommend avoiding any illegal disposable vapes, as they have not been evaluated for safety or quality by the UK's regulatory agencies.
In the UK, it is not specifically illegal to drive while wearing headphones, but if the police believe a driver was distracted or not in full control of their vehicle, the driver could be stopped and penalised3.
Is vaping allowed in pubs? Vaping in pubs is not illegal; there are no specific laws or restrictions on vaping indoors. However, the smoking ban of 2007 has made it more difficult for pubs to ensure that their customers aren't breaking the law by smoking inside.
Laws against smoking in vehicles are there to prevent fire hazards and protect passengers from second-hand smoke. However, when it comes to vaping, it's a bit of a legal grey area. There's no specific law against driving while vaping, but that doesn't mean there aren't any potential legal consequences.
It is against the law the law to smoke in virtually all enclosed public places, workplaces and public and work vehicles. This means that smoking is not allowed by anyone in a private hire vehicle (or taxi) at any time. This includes the driver, even if the vehicle is not being used for hire and reward at that time.
You can smoke anywhere outdoors, but not in any buildings, on public transport, in hotels, restaurants or pubs. Basically the same as most other countries in Europe.
Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces and places of work, with some exemptions. There is a legal duty for you to display a legible no-smoking sign where it can be seen by customers and staff.
In the UK, it is an offence to smoke in a public building and also in cars carrying children. As a result, smoking is not permitted in any of our car parks. See our Terms and Conditions for more information.
Here is the law in a nutshell: it is not illegal to drive in the UK without shoes on and the same applies for wearing flip flops - there is a catch though... You can get behind the wheel of a vehicle barefoot or while wearing flip flops, provided you are able to operate the controls safely.
It's illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle. This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline.
Can I touch my phone in a cradle while driving UK?
Yes. If your phone is attached to your windscreen, dash or air vent, using a cradle, then it's legal to use it, as long as you don't hold it while driving. IMPORTANT: You can get penalty points if your hands-free device blocks your view of the road and traffic ahead.
The evidence revealed that the tested products “contained significantly more than the legal limit of 2ml of nicotine-containing e-liquid from 2.76ml to 3.88ml, with an average overfill of 58%.
18mg or 1.8% and 20mg or 2% are the highest nicotine levels (suitable for heavy smokers on more than one pack a day). These levels will provide a similar throat hit as traditional cigarettes. These concentrations may be suitable for you if you're new to vaping and were previously a frequent cigarette smoker.
Where can I smoke? You're still allowed to have a fag outdoors and in the home (or places considered to be 'homes', such as prisons, care homes and hotels). You can smoke in your own car, or a company vehicle that you alone drive.