Using E-Cigarettes in Public Spaces

In recent years, E-cigarettes have gained an enormous amount of popularity. Many people greatly enjoy a “smoking experience” without tar and bad smells. However, this has also had the consequence that governments and health authorities in various countries around the world have begun to take a position on which rules should apply to E-cigarettes, how they may be consumed, and so on. Therefore, we have sat down to investigate how E-cigarettes may be used in public places in Sweden.

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

E-cigarettes have only existed for relatively few years. Therefore, they are also not included in Swedish tobacco legislation, which, for example, prohibits smoking in restaurants, cafés, and so on. It is therefore up to each business and institution to set its own 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 permitted and where you have to settle for E-smoking outside on the street like regular smokers.
Quite specifically, we wanted to know the policies of the various businesses regarding E-cigarettes, how they may be used, 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 permitted to use an E-cigarette on their vehicles.

Västtrafik
In public transport in Gothenburg, it is also forbidden to use E-cigarettes. This is also clearly stated in their travel terms and conditions. Anywhere you are not allowed to smoke, you are not allowed to use E-cigarettes either.

SL - Storstockholms Lokaltrafik
As with Skånetrafiken and Västtrafik, E-cigarettes are included in SL’s regular smoking ban for ordinary cigarettes. E-cigarettes are therefore prohibited on buses, trains, at underground stations, and indoors.

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

UL – Upplands Lokaltrafik
On UL’s website, there is a clear ban on E-cigarettes on all their buses and trains.

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

Swedish airports
Swedavia, which operates the airports in Sweden, introduced a general ban on E-cigarettes in 2014. The ban applies to all airports and all of Swedavia’s premises, as well as all outdoor areas where smoking is prohibited. The ban applies to employees, travelers, and customers. This is therefore another business where the same rules apply to cigarettes and E-cigarettes. You can find more information about E-cigarettes and air travel here.

The conclusion is...

E-cigarettes are not accepted in public places. Unfortunately, we have not found any exceptions. Although E-cigarettes are not covered by the legislation concerning cigarettes and although they do not have the many negative consequences for the people around you that cigarettes do, E-cigarettes are treated exactly like ordinary cigarettes.
The argument put forward by many businesses is that you cannot really see the difference. For most institutions, the solution is to ban E-cigarettes, even though cigarettes and E-cigarettes are two completely different products. The same rules apply to both.

Where is it permitted to use an E-cigarette?

It can be a little frustrating that there are so many places where you are not allowed to use an E-cigarette, even if you thought it should not be a problem. Fortunately, however, there are also many places where you may use an E-cigarette as much as you like.
You are therefore welcome to use your E-cigarette on public streets, at the beach, in parks, and everywhere else where smoking ordinary cigarettes is permitted. There are sometimes discussions about completely banning cigarettes in public places, but realistically it will take a long time before such a ban can be introduced. One example of a country where this discussion has taken place is Canada, where in many places you are not allowed to smoke in parks, on the beach (yes, they have them in Canada), and in other public places.

At your workplace

As with SJ, UL, Skånetrafiken, and the other companies, each business has the right to decide its own policy regarding E-cigarettes. Naturally, it is not possible for us to give you an overview of the rules of all Swedish companies.
There are, however, many businesses that do not mind E-cigarettes and where you are welcome to use them indoors. Conversely, there are also businesses that have the same rules for cigarettes and E-cigarettes, meaning that you have to go outside with your E-cigarette.
In addition, there are individual workplaces where there is a total ban on both cigarettes and E-cigarettes during working hours.
The best thing is to speak with the person responsible at the business and ask them to take a position on the matter. That way, you get an answer and avoid misunderstandings.

Restaurants, cafés, clubs, and more

It would have been so simple if there were a clear rule in this area, but there is not. Here too, it is up to each business to decide the rules regarding E-cigarettes. You therefore have to ask at each individual establishment to find out what applies. It is always a good idea to be prepared to explain what an E-cigarette is and that it is not the same thing as an ordinary cigarette.
If you run a business yourself, you can make your own rules. It may be an advantage to allow E-cigarettes, especially when you have a sign or something similar indicating this. E-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular, and you may attract more customers.

Dialogue, dialogue, dialogue

Every business has the right to ban E-cigarettes, and when they do not want you to use your E-cigarette, you should accept it. Of course, it is really great if you can use your E-cigarette as you wish, 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. That way, there are no misunderstandings and everyone knows what applies regarding E-cigarettes.