Using e-cigarettes in public spaces

In recent years, E-cigarettes have gained enormous popularity. Many people greatly enjoy a "smoking experience" without tar and bad odor. It has, however, also the consequence that governments and health authorities in countries around the world have begun to take a stance on which rules would apply to E-cigarettes, how they may be consumed and so on. Therefore, we have sat down to examine how one may use E-cigarettes in public spaces in Sweden.

Are you allowed to use an E-cigarette in public spaces?

E-cigarettes have only existed for a relatively short time. Therefore they are not included in the Swedish Tobacco Act, which for example prohibits smoking in restaurants, cafes and so on. It is therefore up to each business and institution itself to set rules for the use of E-cigarettes.
We have tried to obtain information from some central institutions in Sweden so that you have an overview of where E-cigarettes are allowed and where you must content yourself with E-smoking outside on the street like the regular smokers.
Quite concretely, we wanted to know the various organizations' policies regarding E-cigarettes, how to use them, what restrictions exist, and so on.

Skånetrafiken
On Skånetrafiken's buses and trains the same rules apply to both cigarettes and E-cigarettes. That is, it is not allowed to use an E-cigarette on their vehicles.

Västtrafik
In public transport in Gothenburg it is also forbidden to use E-cigarettes. It is also clearly stated in their travel terms. Everywhere where you are not allowed to smoke you are not allowed to use E-cigarettes either.

SL – Storstockholms Lokaltrafik
Just like Skånetrafiken and Västtrafik, E-cigarettes are included in SL's general smoking ban for regular cigarettes. E-cigarettes are thus prohibited on buses, trains, on underground stations and indoors.

SJ
SJ is one of the really big companies and thousands of passengers travel on SJ trains around Sweden. SJ prohibits E-cigarettes due to safety reasons and to avoid confusion regarding the smoking ban. Here too they have decided to apply the same rules to E-cigarettes as to regular cigarettes.

UL – Upplands Lokaltrafik
On UL's website there is a clear prohibition of E-cigarettes on all their buses and trains.

Jernhusen train stations
Even Jernhusen, which owns several train stations in Sweden, has decided to introduce a general smoking ban that applies to both E-cigarettes and cigarettes.

Sweden's airports
Swedavia, which operates the airports in Sweden, introduced in 2014 a general ban on E-cigarettes. The ban applies to all airports and all Swedavia's premises and all outdoor areas where smoking is prohibited. The ban applies to employees, travelers and customers. It is thus another area where the same rules apply for cigarettes and E-cigarettes. More information about E-cigarettes and air travel you can find here.

The conclusion of this is...

E-cigarettes are not accepted in public spaces. We have unfortunately not found any exceptions. Although E-cigarettes are not included in the Cigarette Act and despite not having the many negative consequences for people around you that cigarettes have, E-cigarettes are viewed exactly like regular cigarettes.
The argument that many establishments put forward is that you cannot really see the difference. For most institutions the solution is to prohibit E-cigarettes despite the fact that cigarettes and E-cigarettes are two completely different products. The same rules apply to both of them.

Where is it allowed to use an E-cigarette?

It can be a bit frustrating that there are so many places where you are not allowed to use an E-cigarette even if you thought it shouldn't be a problem. It is, however, fortunately so that there are also many places where you may use the E-cigarette as much as you want.
So you are therefore welcome to use your E-cigarette on public streets, on the beach, in parks and anywhere else where it is allowed to smoke regular cigarettes. There are sometimes discussions about totally banning cigarettes in public spaces, but realistically it will take a long time before such a ban could be introduced. An example of a country that has had the discussion is Canada where in many places you are not allowed to smoke in parks, on the beach (yes, they exist in Canada) and in other public places.

At your workplace

Just like SJ, UL, Skånetrafiken and the other companies, every organization has the right to decide its own policies regarding E-cigarettes. Obviously, it is not possible for us to give you an overview of the rules of all Swedish companies.
However, there are many organizations that do not mind E-cigarettes and where you may gladly use them indoors. Conversely, there are also organizations that have the same rules for cigarettes and E-cigarettes, and where you must therefore stand outside with the E-cigarette.
Additionally, there are occasional workplaces where there is a total ban on both cigarettes and E-cigarettes during working hours.
The best thing is to talk to the person responsible in the organization and ask them to take a stand on the issue. That way you get an answer and avoid misunderstandings.

Restaurants, cafes, clubs and other

It would have been so simple if there were a clear rule in the area, but there isn't. Here too it is up to each business to decide the rules regarding E-cigarettes. So you should ask at each individual place to know what applies. It is always good to be prepared to explain what an E-cigarette is and that it is not the same as a regular cigarette.
If you run a business yourself you can make your own rules. It can be advantageous to allow E-cigarettes, especially when you have a sign or similar showing it. E-cigarettes are becoming more popular and you might attract more customers.

Dialogue, dialogue, dialogue

Each organization has the right to prohibit the E-cigarette and when they do not wish you to use your E-cigarette you should accept it. Of course it is really good if you can use your E-cigarette as you want, for example after a meal. The most important thing is that you always create a good dialogue with other people and explain what you are doing. In this way there are no misunderstandings and everyone knows what applies regarding E-cigarettes. If you need arguments, we have here 35 reasons why E-cigarettes are better than regular cigarettes.