Metro passengers in the UK can now be slapped with fines of up to £1,000 for vaping anywhere on the network under a controversial new byelaw.
The public transport operator Nexus says it introduced the rule in Tyne and Wear after “customer feedback” flagged vaping as a common complaint.
The Department for Transport (Dft) has formally approved the measure, putting vapes on the same legal footing as traditional cigarettes, which have been banned since the Metro opened in 1980. The law, which bans smoking on all Metro trains and in stations, officially came into force on July 1.
Nexus insists it’s targeting a minority of users. “The overwhelming majority of our customers who vape are considerate,” said Kevin Storey, the operator’s operations director.
“But the minority who vape on our property should be aware of the introduction of the byelaw and the potential for being issued with a fine.”
So far, no one has been fined under the new rule, but enforcement is expected to ramp up. An enforcement officer told the BBC that many of those caught vaping have been minors.
‘Action against harm reduction’
While Nexus says the move is a response to customer satisfaction, critics see it as part of a growing pattern of punitive action against harm-reduction alternatives.
The decision followed a statutory consultation period required by the Dft. Mr Storey said: “The new byelaw has been through a statutory process of consultation, and has now been agreed by the Department for Transport.
“It prohibits the use of vapes and electronic cigarettes across the entire Metro system, in the same way that smoking is already banned.
Drivers and train passengers warned
The move comes after motorists who vape were warned last year that they face a £5,000 fine and nine penalty points for breaching the Road Traffic Act. While the law doesn’t specifically ban vaping, police have discretion to act if it’s deemed careless or inconsiderate driving.
Then in January, Northern Trains told passengers that anyone caught vaping on trains or platforms would be kicked off and could face prosecution.
Although vaping has been banned on most UK train services since 2014, Northern said rule-breakers had been lighting up in toilets, stairwells, and carriage footwells to avoid detection.
“We want to be clear that vaping is not permitted on our trains or at any of our stations,” said Matt Rice, Northern’s chief operating officer. “Those who are caught vaping may be asked to leave the train by a member of staff and we will not tolerate any abusive or aggressive reactions.”
Transport operators including Network Rail, GWR, TfL, and Stagecoach are stepping up enforcement across the board. Vaping remains outside smoking legislation, but most public transport and indoor venues now enforce their own bans – including stadiums, arenas, hotels, and restaurants.
Tighter rules to comeThe warnings around vaping and transport come ahead of the government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is expected to hand more enforcement powers to authorities targeting vaping behaviour on the road and in public.
