Overview
- Draft measures would prohibit smoking, vaping and heated tobacco use in children’s playgrounds, outside school gates and in private vehicles carrying under-18s.
- All places already smoke-free indoors would also become vape-free and heated‑tobacco‑free, covering workplaces and public transport.
- Hospital grounds would be smoke‑ and heated‑tobacco‑free under the plans, while vaping would still be allowed there to support smokers trying to quit.
- Outdoor hospitality areas such as pub gardens and wide‑open public spaces, as well as private homes and private outdoor areas, are excluded from the proposals.
- The consultation applies to England, runs until May 8 with at least a six‑month lead‑in before any rules take effect, and has backing from major health charities alongside objections from vaping advocates and free‑market think‑tanks.