Great Western Coffee Shop

Got this statement from NR staff at Paddington the other day when I complained about passengers smoking on the non-smoking side of the main entrance road. They have been told to move real smokers to the smoking side, but apparently vapers are not deemed to be smoking and may vape anywhere on NR property. What next vaping on trains too?

Not sure that is right. There are many notices in and around stations that include vaping or 'electronic cigarettes' usually, banning both.

However, I have always wondered whether vaping has ever legally been included in the relevant byelaw that bans smoking? Anyone got a link to this byelaw that is current? Maybe someone challenged NR on this, so until sorted, they've been told to leave the vapers alone?

Railway Byelaw 3 says:

"No person shall smoke or carry a lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, match, lighter or other lighted item on any part of the railway on or near which there is a notice indicating that smoking is not allowed."

The Byelaw has not been amended to include vaping, which is neither smoking nor a lighted item.

British Transport Police are of the belief that vaping on trains or in stations is not a criminal offence, nor is it covered by existing Byelaws. They say:

"An e-cigarette does not fall within the definition of a lighted item and so would not be covered by Byelaw 3"

However, if someone who has been asked to stop vaping refuses to do so they maybe commiting (high evidential threshold though) a breach of Byelaw 6(8 ):

"No person shall molest or wilfully interfere with the comfort or convenience of any person on the railway."

BTP say:

"The use of an e-cigarette would not normally be covered by Byelaw 6(8 ) unless we can evidence that the interference is wilful. For example, where after a complaint from another passenger, the individual continues to use the e-cigarette. We would need to ensure we are able to obtain sufficient evidence to support the prosecution."

In summary, vaping on trains and stations is not, prima facie, an offence.

Attached is a FOI response from BTP regarding vaping on railway property.

As I thought.....thanks!

I am fairly certain I have heard a "human" announcement asking a passenger on a station platform to refrain from using an e-cigarette on station property. I think it was Newark (North Gate) but use so many stations at the moment it could be anywhere.

Yes, operators have generally lumped e-cigs in with the smoking rule - indeed, as an eg, Chiltern even have it spelt out on their website.

I challenged their ability to do this legally, but I think they are relying on peoples good faith in general. Now there's some proof that the BTP won't step in, I might push it further (except that I hate the smell of these vapers - anything from bubble gum to strawberry smell)

just because vaping is legal doesn't make it illegal to ask people to stop.  Plenty of signs ask people to stop doing things which are perfectly legal.  And most people comply.  Which is usually sufficient. 

If you want to *ban* something that is generally legal elsewhere (outside buildings re smoking & vaping), then to be able to enforce it (in this case, BTP ejecting you from said private land where you have implied permission to be there), you need a legal ability to do so.

Hence the railway bylaw number 3. But that only covers smoking.

So yes, they can ask - not demand or tell you not to).

The primary legislation under which the bylaws are allowed to be made by statutory instrument is the 1964 Transport Act, viz section 67 1(c):

"with respect to the smoking of tobacco in railway carriages and elsewhere and the prevention of nuisances;"

I guess vaping could come under the prevention of nuisances under a suitably-worded bylaw in the future. Or is it already covered under not carrying anything that 'may threaten, annoy, soil or damage any person or any property' ... maybe a bit of a stretch without being specifically mentioned though and whether it can be considered to be potentially dangerous for Bylaw 2.

They can ask, demand or tell you not to.  But you can ignore them.  Simply telling a lie ("Vaping on these premises is illegal",  "you must stop that, it is illegal", "I shall call the police if you continue vaping") is not in itself a crime.   

If it becomes a problem, and BTP are routinely telling TOCs and Network Rail that they can only request that people stop vaping, the TOCs/NR may lobby the DfT for a Byelaw change.

However, changing a law, even just a Byelaw, is a long drawn out process. The status quo of a reasonable request to desist is more likely to stay.

As one of the odd coincidences in life I was at the cinema early this evening and the GWR Famous Five advert was played ... followed by one for a supplier of vaping paraphernalia. 

My point being that many folks will assume its included within the bylaw....

Online vaping shop: Can I use my vaping device on a train in the UK? (https://www.govype.com/gb/en/blog/vaping-on-a-train)

Dunno how up to date it is.

Marlburian

I don't know how up to date that is from a legal viewpoint either ... but it's commonly accepted that inhaling of just about anything (except air and medical inhalers) isn't allowed.  You'll find people standing just outside the station gate or being very secretive on the platform.

From last week (note - Scots law may differ to UK law and this is Kirkwood station in Coatbridge). A dark, cold, unpleasant place to wait 45 minutes for a train in a gale when you arrive for a train that's been cancelled.

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/ereport.jpg)

The suggestion here is that it's also illegal not to report someone who's puffing on an e-cigarette on the platform, let alone to puff yourself.  Can't say that I fancy the idea of calling in on the help point within clear earshot of a group with "smokers" amongst it, to report them for smoking - "asking for trouble" comes to mind as does "being an interfering busy-body" on a gale swept open platform with hardly anyone else around.

Within the regulations, there is a right to complain about smoking/vaping - and that is why there is 'advice' given.

That notice specifically states the prohibition includes e-cigarettes. I wonder whether it includes heated tobacco too? I don't know much about this but I presume the heating must release vapours which will mix with the atmosphere in addition to being inhaled by the user.