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Vaping On The Go

Further restrictions on vaping while travelling have come into effect – here is an overview.

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PLANES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the national aviation authority of the United States, noted back in January that a growing number of incidents had been taking place. Batteries were venting inside checked-in passenger luggage. Consequently, the International Civil Aviation Organization has changed the rules so that electronic cigarettes are prohibited from being recharged in-flight and that all airline companies should “encourage” their passengers to carry battery-containing vaping equipment in their hand luggage.

TRAINS: Southern Rail is the latest rail company to ban vaping from trains and stations. The ban is set to begin on the 26th of July and will cover more than 150 stations, incorporating in excess of 2,300 train services. The justification for the move is “to ensure that passengers don’t think that smoking real cigarettes is allowed.” They have yet to clamp down on scratching, which has as similar chance of leading on to public self-pleasuring. C2C, Great Anglia, First Capital Connect, Thameslink, Virgin, Eurostar, Northern Rail, Gatwick Express, Scotrail and Great Northern also ban electronic cigarettes. South Eastern and London Midland have yet to announce a ban but will.

It is worth noting that the ban is not a legal imposition. A Southern Rail spokesperson said: “The ban will not enforceable by law. Anyone who is seen using one of these devices by Southern and Gatwick Express staff after July 26 will be politely asked to stop.” Other rail companies hope fellow passengers will enforce the ban but Scotrail have said they will contact the British Transport Police.

BUSES: Southern Rail’s move follows on the heels of Transport for London’s move to ban vaping across its network of tubes, trains and buses. A similar situation exists with National Express who, in section 8 of their conditions of carriage, prohibit vaping on coaches and in their coach stations. Some smaller bus companies outside London still allow vaping so it is best to check with the driver.

Deborah Arnott, ASH UK, said: “ASH does not support a blanket ban on the use of these devices in all enclosed public places. However, it’s up to individual organisations, including train operators, to choose whether or not to permit their use. We’d suggest that before doing so they think about the potential health benefits of these products, which are mainly used by smokers trying to quit.”

Dave Cross avatar

Dave Cross

Journalist at POTV
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Dave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous vape companies to develop content for their websites.

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