New law could see vaping banned in all pubs across England

It is reported that Vaping could soon be banned inside every pub and bar in England under plans being considered by ministers to extend smoke‑free legislation to e‑cigarettes. The move would close a long‑standing gap in the 2007 smoking ban, which outlawed cigarettes in enclosed public spaces but left vaping to individual venue discretion.

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In the House of Commons last Friday (16 January), the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) was asked if imposing a ban on vaping in pubs could damage their financial viability and profitability.

Health minister Ashley Dalton, replied:

“The Tobacco and Vapes Bill gives the Government powers to make most public places and workplaces that are smoke-free also vape-free.

“We plan to consult on making most indoor settings, that are subject to existing smoke-free legislation, vape-free. This would include inside pubs and other hospitality venues.”

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention added:

“A number of places have already done this voluntarily. These measures will be subject to a full consultation, and we will be guided by public health advice.

“All future regulations will be accompanied by an impact assessment that will consider the economic effects of the proposed measures and will be published as part of the consultation process.”

Many pubs already prohibit vaping voluntarily, often citing complaints from customers and staff about vapour clouds and strong flavours. Others warn that a blanket ban could deter younger patrons and add another enforcement burden to an industry already under pressure from staffing shortages and rising costs.

Health campaigners have broadly welcomed the potential change, arguing that normalising vaping indoors risks encouraging uptake among teenagers and creates an unpleasant environment for non‑vapers. Some smoking‑cessation experts, however, caution that overly strict rules could push some users back towards cigarettes.

The government is expected to publish draft legislation later this year. If approved by Parliament, the new rules could come into force as early as 2027, bringing England in line with several countries that already prohibit vaping in hospitality venues.