Vaping is a smoking aid that has significantly grown in popularity over the years. Now, millions of people in the UK are thought to use a vape, but a few questions still stand around it. For example, can you vape while driving?
This article will discuss this matter in its entirety, exploring the law and vaping and how you can vape safely while driving your vehicle.
What Is Vaping?
Before we delve in, let’s start by covering the basics. What is vaping? A vape – or an e-cigarette is an electronic device that gives you a similar sensation to smoking a cigarette. The device heats a liquid which produces a vapour that you inhale. Vapes contain nicotine, but no tobacco, which is a dangerous part of a cigarette.
Many people use vapes to help them quit smoking altogether. It is important to note that vapes are not considered “healthy” for you. However, they are deemed a lot safer to use than cigarettes. If you, or a loved one, need help to quit smoking, it is advised that you talk to your GP or look online for some advice. There are plenty of top tips and forums out there that can help you.
The Law
What does the UK government have to say about vaping and driving? You may be surprised to know that there are not a lot of rules enforced around vaping and driving. In 2015, the UK government introduced a ban on smoking in cars carrying children as second-hand smoke is dangerous. However, this didn’t make vaping in vehicles illegal. Although, it is crucial to note that if you or a passenger is caught using an e-cigarette while a child is in the car, you will be fined.
Take a look at this blog that outlines the law in the UK regarding vaping in a vehicle. You will find that vaping while driving is not illegal. However, you need to ensure that you always have complete control over your vehicle. If you are distracted by vaping and cause a crash, you could be guilty of an offence. If you have children, you should try and get into the habit of avoiding using your vape around them to protect their health.
How To Vape Safely While Driving
It is clear to see why the UK government would struggle to make vaping while driving illegal. It is estimated that there are around 3 million adult vapers in the UK alone. Many people choose to vape in their cars as this is a private space with no restrictions. Luckily, there are some things that you can do to protect yourself and others whilst you vape and drive. Safety is critical, and by following our top tips below, you will be able to enjoy vaping while driving in a way that is not going to harm yourself or others.
Allow Vapour Clouds To Escape
When you use a vape or an e-cigarette, you will be aware that many vapour clouds can be produced. Sometimes, these clouds can be large, and as a result, they can hinder your vision while driving. You should always keep your windows open when vaping to avoid this happening. This will give the vapour clouds somewhere to go, as they will escape through the window instead of lingering in your vehicle.
If you consistently vape in your vehicle, you will also find that residue can build up on your windows over time. It may cause them to fog over, which once again impairs your vision. Keeping windows open will certainly help to minimise this risk. Every 22 minutes, someone is killed or seriously injured on UK roads. Don’t let vaping irresponsibly be the reason why you fall into this statistic. Safety is crucial to protect yourself and those around you.
Store Your Device In A Safe Space
Vapes are often small devices and can easily slip from your grasp whilst you are on the move. For example, you may go over a speed bump, and your device slips down the side of your chair. When this occurs, you should never go looking for it while driving, as you could cause a crash by getting distracted. Instead, you should always store your device in a safe and accessible place. That way, when you reach for it and put it down, you will not get too distracted.
Ideally, you want to place your vape somewhere that is within arm’s reach. You don’t want to place it over on the other side of your car as this could distract you when you wish to use it. If the side door of your car has a compartment, this could be an ideal place to store your vape. You can easily reach it, and you won’t have to take your eyes off the road to put it down.
Choose Your E-Liquid Wisely
Certain e-liquids will enhance cloud production more than others. Therefore, you must choose your e-liquid wisely. If you are ever unsure about which e-liquid you need, it is always recommended that you look online for some advice or talk to someone down at your local vape store. Large cloud production reduces visibility and, as a result, can cause an accident which is certainly something you want to avoid.
There are plenty of e-liquid reviews online that you can look at to help you find the best one for you. You will tend to find that high VG e-liquids create bigger clouds. Even if you choose a liquid that produces fewer clouds, you should still keep your windows open while vaping and driving to ensure that your visibility is clear.
Summary
Vaping while driving in the UK may not be illegal. However, you should still follow all the safety precautions out there to keep both yourself and those around you safe. By following our top tips above, you should be able to vape safely while driving. The important thing to remember is you should always have complete control over your vehicle. Do not let vaping be a distraction. If you feel like it is distracting you too much, put the vape somewhere where you cannot reach it – so you are not tempted while on the move.