Vaping in cars carrying anyone under 18 will be prohibited in England under fresh government legislation aimed at curbing the health risks associated with smoking and e-cigarettes. The ban, part of the forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, extends existing restrictions on smoking in vehicles with young passengers to include vaping and the use of heated tobacco products.
The proposed legislation also seeks to prevent the use of vapes and tobacco products in playgrounds and near school and hospital entrances, building on existing laws that prohibit smoking in cars when children are present since 2015. Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the rationale behind the measures, stating, “No child in a playground or hospital patient should suffer because someone else chooses to smoke.” He further explained that secondhand smoke is linked to serious health issues, including heart disease and lung cancer, and the government intends to shield vulnerable populations from these dangers.
The Department of Health and Social Care cited growing evidence of potential health risks associated with both heated tobacco and vaping as justification for the proposed changes. Officials highlighted emerging data suggesting that emissions from heated tobacco and secondhand vapor from vapes can pose health hazards, alongside a significant increase in youth vaping rates and concerns about nicotine addiction and long-term health consequences.
The bill does not encompass a ban on smoking outside pubs, and exemptions will be made for smoking or vaping within care homes, hospices, mental health hospitals, and residential schools. Over 1,200 health leaders have publicly called for the swift passage of the bill, according to reports from The Guardian.
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) supports the government’s consideration of banning vaping in cars with under-18s, acknowledging that while less harmful than secondhand smoke, minimizing potential risks in enclosed spaces is prudent. Caroline Cerny, ASH’s deputy chief executive, stated that a balance must be struck between protecting children and supporting adults who smoke in their transition to vapes, and that the consultation process should help achieve this.
England’s Chief Medical Officer, Prof Chris Whitty, underscored the broader health implications of secondhand smoke exposure, noting its association with increased risks of asthma, adverse birth outcomes, various cancers, stroke, and heart disease.
A public consultation on the proposed measures began on Friday, February 13, 2026, and is scheduled to run for 12 weeks, concluding on May 8, 2026.
