NNA launches ‘Save Vaping’ campaign as public vaping ban proposals spark backlash

A proposed UK-wide ban on vaping in public places has triggered a strong response from harm reduction advocates and industry voices, with the New Nicotine Alliance (NNA) launching a grassroots campaign to oppose the measure.

The charity’s “Save Vaping” campaign argues that extending smoke-free legislation to include vaping in all indoor public spaces risks undermining smoking cessation efforts, damaging businesses, and misrepresenting the relative risks of vaping compared to smoking.

Under the government’s proposal, vaping would be prohibited in workplaces, pubs, clubs and even specialist vape shops – bringing it in line with existing smoking restrictions. Critics say such a move is disproportionate and not supported by scientific evidence.

Public health concerns

The NNA and associated public health voices warn that equating vaping with smoking could send misleading signals to smokers and former smokers.

“Unlike cigarette smoke, there is no evidence that second-hand vapour harms people nearby,” said Louise Ross, former New Nicotine Alliance trustee and veteran of Stop Smoking Services. “Being able to vape in a place where you can’t smoke will lead to more people switching to a far safer way of using nicotine. This is a public health win.”

Campaigners also argue that public misunderstanding around vaping remains high, and that stricter restrictions could reinforce the false perception that vaping carries risks similar to combustible tobacco.

“When government treats vaping and smoking as if they are the same, it reinforces the false belief that they carry similar risks,” Ross added. “Creating vape free places will just make the general public think that vaping is as harmful as smoking.

Economic impact on businesses

Alongside health concerns, the proposal is expected to have a significant financial impact – particularly on hospitality. The government’s own impact assessment estimates the policy could cost businesses £532 million.

Operators warn that venues may face reduced footfall from customers who vape, while also taking on enforcement responsibilities.

“Most venues already manage vaping sensibly themselves and our customers are perfectly happy with the current position”, said Simon Thomas, the proprietor of London’s Hippodrome Casino.

“What changes with a national ban is that it turns something that venues currently handle as a house policy into a legal liability. If someone stealth vapes in a busy bar or casino, suddenly the owner is the one who can be fined, which puts an unreasonable enforcement burden on hospitality businesses.”

Debate over evidence

Opponents of the ban maintain that there is no scientific justification for including vaping in smoke-free legislation. Evidence reviews, including those by Public Health England, have found that risks to bystanders from second-hand vapour are extremely low.

Clive Bates, former director of Action on Smoking and Health and a tobacco harm reduction campaigner, argued that decisions on vaping policies should remain with individual businesses rather than being imposed through blanket regulation.

“Suppose a pub landlord wants to have one room for vaping, or a hotel wants to ban vaping in bedrooms and the restaurant, but allow it in the bar, or a care home wants to allow it in certain places, or a homeless shelter wants a space for vaping, or a coffee shop wants to cater for people who have switched from smoking to vaping? That should be their call,” he said.

“For the government to tell them they can’t allow vaping even if they want to, there has to be a good reason, and there just isn’t one.”

Call for consultation response

The NNA is urging consumers, businesses and public health stakeholders to respond to the ongoing government consultation.

“This consultation is a critical opportunity,” NNA chair Bernice Evans said. “If people believe in evidence-led policy, harm reduction, and proportionate regulation, they should speak up. Policies like this should not be made without challenge.”

With the consultation still open, campaigners believe the level of response could play a decisive role in determining whether the proposed ban proceeds in its current form.

You can access the government consultation and submit a response at this page.