Vaping on public transport can bring fixed penalties of up to £100 on buses in parts of England, GOV.UK announced. Councils can adopt bus byelaws against nuisance behaviour, including vaping, but fines apply only where a byelaw has been approved locally and signed off by the Secretary of State.
- Fixed penalties of up to £100 apply on buses only where a local byelaw is in force.
- The £1,000 figure relates to the rail noise campaign, not to vaping.
- iBreathe’s advice is to treat buses, trains and stations as no-vaping spaces and to check local rules.
What happened?
Local transport authorities in England can make bus byelaws against nuisance behaviour, including vaping and littering, according to GOV.UK. The powers have been in force since 5 August 2026 under the Bus Services Act 2025, according to the GOV.UK guidance on using bus byelaws. Fixed penalties can reach £100.
- Each byelaw needs Secretary of State sign-off before anyone can enforce it, so rules apply only where a council has adopted one.
- Authorised officers, such as transport safety officers or police, enforce the byelaws. Drivers do not.
- Officers are expected to engage, explain, then enforce.
Can you vape on a bus in the UK?
Whether vaping on a bus is penalised depends on local rules, because the £100 penalty applies only where a council has adopted a byelaw. iBreathe’s advice is to treat buses as no-vaping spaces and check the operator’s rules before you travel. That is practical advice, not a legal ruling. The powers cover England only, and the GOV.UK sources give no national start date for fines.
Can you vape on a train in the UK?
The GOV.UK release does not say vaping on trains is newly covered. The rail campaign targets loud audio. According to GOV.UK, refusing to stop when asked by rail staff can mean removal or fines of up to £1,000. That £1,000 figure relates to the rail noise campaign, not to vaping.
iBreathe’s advice is still to follow the train operator’s rules and any staff instruction. For other journeys, see our guide to vaping rules when travelling.
What does it mean for vaping on public transport?
Adult vapers should check local rules before vaping on or near public transport. iBreathe’s advice is to treat buses, trams, trains and stations as no-vaping spaces; that is practical advice, not a legal ruling. Being outdoors does not mean vaping is allowed.
- Check whether your local council has adopted a bus byelaw.
- Read the operator’s rules before you travel.
- Look for signs and follow staff instructions straight away.
For product information, see our refillable pod kits and starter vape kits category pages.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the fine for vaping on a bus?
Fixed penalties for vaping on a bus can be up to £100, according to GOV.UK. They apply only where a local council has adopted a bus byelaw and the Secretary of State has signed it off. Where no byelaw is in force, the £100 penalty does not apply, but operator rules may still apply.
Will a bus driver fine me for vaping?
Bus drivers do not enforce byelaws, according to GOV.UK. Authorised officers such as transport safety officers or the police do, using an engage, explain, then enforce approach. Operators can have their own rules, so follow any instruction from staff and check the operator’s conditions before you travel.
Does the £1,000 fine apply to vaping on buses?
No. The £1,000 figure in the GOV.UK release relates to the rail noise campaign, where refusing to stop loud audio when asked by rail staff can mean removal or fines of up to £1,000. The bus penalty in the release is up to £100.
Can I vape at a bus stop or station?
The GOV.UK sources do not say vaping is allowed or banned at stops or stations. Rules can differ by operator, council and site, and being outdoors does not mean vaping is allowed. Check signs and follow staff instructions. iBreathe’s advice is to treat stops and stations as no-vaping spaces.
Sources
Last updated 20 October 2026. Read more iBreathe news for related rule changes.
