You want a hot body? You want a healthy set of lungs? You want to live longer? Then stub out those fags and get vaping, bitch!
We all know that smoking LOOKS super-cool, especially if you’ve a movie villain or waifish supermodel, but the truth is that it’s TERRIBLE for you.It also makes your clothes, fingers and flat reek, plus it’s pricey as hell- altogether a real turn-off. Any smokers left within your social circles are most likely to be trying hard to quit smoking.
However, the calming effects of smoking can be addictive, especially for those who are battling depression or anxiety, a not uncommon occurrence for those with high-stress, hard-partying London lives. Going cold turkey simply isn’t an option for many of us. How many of you enjoy a cheeky cigarette with a post-work Pimms?
Last year the NHS began encouraging smokers to swap from smoking to vaping as a way of giving up, as vaping doesn’t contain tobacco. Vaping is without a doubt a much safer option – the latest studies have shown that a cancer risk from vaping of about 1% of that from smoking.
With the NHS promoting vaping as a safe way of giving up, some don’t think too much about where and when they can vape. After all, vaping doesn’t inflict harmful secondary smoke on others, so surely you can vape anywhere?
However, as vaping is still relatively new the rules on where you can vape are pretty hazy.
So what are the rules and vaping etiquette for vaping in the UK?
Vaping at festivals
You can probably vape at most festivals, as they usually take place outdoors, but it’s important that you check the festival rules. If there are designated areas for vaping/smoking, make sure you do so there and nowhere else.
‘Cloud chasing’ is when vapers use atomisers capable of firing at under 1 Ohm of resistance or ‘Sub Ohm’ vaping to produce large vape clouds that compete with the smoke machine at Eurovision. Large vape clouds are the number one complaint against vapers so make sure you move away from the crowds before you vape as you don’t want to ruin any Instagram pics or others enjoyment of the music.
Vaping in clubs
Vaping is popular on the club scene with DJs finding that they can vape while they DJ, as e-cigarettes free up their hands to mix. However, large music venues often have a ban on vaping. Smaller music venues will likely be more relaxed, but check with a club member of staff before you vape inside. If vaping is allowed inside, be considerate and don’t vape in a crowded area.
Vaping in enclosed public spaces
There are three large public areas that may have vaping rules in place – businesses, transport and stadiums.
• Transport
All UK airlines and airports have a ban on vaping, although you can take your vaping kit with you on most planes. Manchester airport for example bans vaping from anywhere inside the terminal building, but Heathrow terminal 4 has a special vaping area.
You can’t use your e-cigarette on the plane, but you can pack it in your hand luggage. However, you can’t charge your e-cigarette on the plane and you are not allowed to take more than two individually protected spare batteries.
You can’t pack your vaping kit into your checked luggage in the hold due to the restrictions on lithium batteries.
Most train and bus companies ban vaping entirely, including the London Underground. Most journeys are not so long as to make this difficult – just take a vape break at the end of the journey away from a crowded area.
• Stadiums
Vaping is forbidden inside all of the UK stadiums and you can’t vape and then re-enter if you are there to see a concert or watch sports. The punishment is often cited as being thrown out, so make sure you adhere to the rules of the venue.
All premier league stadiums have a ban – Manchester United and Manchester City will eject you immediately if you break the rule.
• Businesses
Restaurants and cafes generally treat vaping like they would do smoking, simply because the vaping smoke can irritate people when eating, rather than for the serious health reasons behind excluding smokers.
Offices will usually ask people to vape outside in a designated area. Old-fashioned and traditional business locations such as banks are going to be stricter than forward-thinking, trendy digital agencies, but every business will have specific policies.
People are especially irritated by vapers in the following locations, so avoid vaping in these:
• Waiting rooms
• Food areas
• Queues
• Lifts
Choose your flavour considerately when vaping in public
Vaping smells differ with their flavour and people prefer different smells. It is considerate to choose lighter smells when in public areas – such as a mint variety.
Strong smells can interfere with people eating, they won’t be able to taste the full favour of the food they are eating if their senses are bombarded with a strong smell (particularly the food related vaping flavours!)
Practice stealth vaping
Stealth vaping is the art of vaping subtly. You can do this by:
• Inhaling and holding before exhaling
• Exhaling through your nose instead of your mouth
• Scaling down the vapour production
• Increasing the PG to VG ratio in e-juice to make smaller clouds
We are lucky here in the UK – our cities generally welcome vapers, but different countries have different laws. Some countries have very tight restrictions – others have completely banned vaping. Make sure you research before you travel, or you could end up in prison (and not many prisons let you vape, we can tell you that!)
