Smoke-free and vape-free places
Government consultation
The Government has launched a consultation to explore new powers to make regulations on tobacco and vapes as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
This consultation will seek views on:
- extending smoke-free laws to certain outdoor public places
- introducing heated tobacco-free places
- introducing vape-free places
- introducing exemptions such as allowing for designated smoking, heated tobacco and vaping areas within smoke free, heated tobacco-free and vape-free places
- defining boundaries and setting signage requirements for smoke-free, heated tobacco-free and vape-free places
These proposals aim to protect children and medically vulnerable people from second-hand smoke, heated tobacco emissions and vape vapours.
You can see the full list of health and care settings and education settings included in these proposals.
How we are responding
We are interested in the views of local residents to inform a collective responsive to this consultation, including views from a range of professionals.
We need to ensure that there are supportive, smoke-free environments for those who are trying to quit smoking. We do not want to risk people continuing to smoke or returning to smoking.
We also want to ensure more outdoor smoke-free environments to reduce the harms associated with second-hand tobacco smoke, especially where children and families gather and where there is a case to be made to protect the workforce.
Therefore, we need to ensure that there is a balance in increasing smoke-free places to protect the health of non-smokers, particularly vulnerable groups, while also ensuring that those who want to quit smoking by using a vape are supported to do so within society.
We do not want children and young people to vape. While vaping is less harmful than smoking, it is not completely risk free. Important policies are needed to address some of the unacceptable promotion, packaging and marketing designed to appeal to children and young people.
This consultation closed on 29 April 2026 to enable us to gather the information and respond to Government by 8 May 2026.
For more information contact PublicHealth@durham.gov.uk
To have this in a different format contact letstalkcountydurham@durham.gov.uk.
Phases
Outcomes and response to Government
Online Survey (13th – 30th April) – completed by 123 residents.
This helped inform Durham County Council’s response to the government consultation, which was submitted on 8th May 2026.
Overall, there was strong support for all proposed smoke-free and vape-free areas, and for clear signage.
Summary of main themes
- Protecting children and vulnerable groups from exposure to second-hand smoke and vapour. Adults set an example for children.
- Preventing the normalisation of smoking – individuals should be provided the option to avoid passive smoking and the associated health risks.
- Emphasis on smoke-free and vape-free doorways (entrances and exits), and suggestions to extend smoke-free areas to other public spaces e.g. general highstreets, sports clubs, leisure centres, outdoor concerts.
- Clear, consistent signage is needed to ensure ignorance or ambiguity of signs are avoided as excuses for non-compliance.
- Signs should have limited wording, more visuals, and should be consistent and recognisable nationally. Vaping and smoking signage should be distinguishable.
- Signs should outline the consequences or potential penalties for non-adherence to ensure restrictions are effective.
Next steps
Following the consultation period the government will publish a response, and subject to the responses received, smoke-free and vape-free places regulations are intended to be implemented. Consultations are expected to be carried out on further tobacco and vape-related proposals later in the year.