Can e-cigarettes be smoked in public?

According to official figures, there are currently more than 2.8 million e-cigarette users or vapers in the UK. Yet many still don't know when and where they should vape - with more than half of those surveyed by e-cigarette brands complaining they were "confused". The opinion of the e-cigarette information editor is that it is no problem to smoke e-cigarettes in public places in non-enclosed spaces, but the premise is to observe some vape etiquette: try not to use it in person, and try to stand in the air flow area. In public places, the editor advocates smoking e-cigarettes for the purpose of "relieving addiction" rather than "enjoying addiction".

Now etiquette expert Debrett has released his own rules for acceptable vaping. While vaping is now mainstream, Debrett said "the lack of official guidelines doesn't make for universal acceptance."

social minefield

According to Public Health England, the main reason for people to give up or cut back on smoking is that non-smokers don't always accept those around them vaping.

Can e-cigarettes be smoked in public places?

E-cigarette brand Vype conducted its own survey of 2,000 people to identify vapers' biggest faux pas - and found smoking in tight spaces, such as elevators, was the clear number one complaint. Next was in a restaurant, during an interview, someone spit smoke into someone's face, or in someone's car, smoking without their permission. Other unacceptable times for the vape include being at someone’s home without their permission, while in line, on public transport…

Plus, Debrett has released his own guidance, saying the rules around vaping are "largely discretionary" -- making vapers a "social minefield" armed only with good etiquette.

Debrett's Rules of Etiquette

First thing to ask - most public places like bars or theaters have clear policies, but if it's unclear - ask the waiter.

Don't smoke e-cigarettes in restaurants. Most restaurants offer explicit smoke-free policies while serving food.

Don't vape while waiting in line - thinking about other people is key - no matter how tedious the line is.

Don't think you can vape when you're in a friend's house or car - ask first. It's polite to take it outside.

Don't blow the smoke into someone's face - while you may love a great scent, not all non-vapers will appreciate it.

Don't vape on the bus, train or plane - most prohibit vaping, if you want to vape, take advantage of the smoking area.

Don't assume that all hotels allow vaping - it's best to check when booking.

Don't try to discreetly "invisibly vape" in a no-vape area - it's better to wait until you can be in public.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of health charity Ash, said organisations needed to clarify the difference between vaping and smoking. She believes that vaping is "a matter of politeness on both sides."

"Vapers should use common sense in crowded or cramped public spaces, not vape, but shouldn't make them uncomfortable or sorry for vaping," she said.

Can e-cigarettes be smoked in public places?

"They [non-vapers] should note that e-cigarettes are primarily used by ex-smokers to achieve smoking cessation or prevent relapse, and that e-cigarette vapor does not release the toxic load in tobacco smoke."

As for the law, the government sees smoking as being very different from vaping - so smoke-free legislation doesn't apply to vaping.

While it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to buy e-cigarettes, there is no penalty in the workplace or in public places, public transport, restaurants or bars. Instead, it's up to the company or owner to decide.

While the debate on its level of safety continues, the consensus of the Ministry of Health is that e-cigarettes are safer for users than smoking.