England is preparing to tighten restrictions on smoking and vaping, with new government proposals that could prohibit the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco in cars carrying children, playgrounds and outside schools.
The measures, now open for public consultation, aim to expand smoke-free protections across a range of public settings and further limit young people’s exposure to second-hand smoke and vapour. Officials say the plans represent a major step toward prevention-based healthcare.
Under the proposals, smoking, vaping and heated tobacco use would be banned in vehicles when children are present, as well as in areas commonly used by families and patients. Outdoor spaces around hospitals would also become smoke-free.
Indoor locations where smoking is already prohibited would automatically extend the same rules to vaping and heated tobacco products. Ministers argue the change reflects growing evidence that passive exposure to vapour can still pose health risks.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said children and hospital patients should not suffer because of others’ habits. He described the proposals as part of a broader effort to prevent illness before it begins.
“Second-hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer,” Streeting said. “Prevention is better than cure, and these steps will help us build a healthier Britain while easing pressure on the NHS.”
The government says the changes fit within its 10-year strategy to shift the focus of healthcare away from treating disease and toward stopping harm at its source. Reducing smoking-related illnesses could significantly lower long-term healthcare costs.
England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, warned that the dangers of second-hand smoke are well documented. He cited asthma, stroke, cancers and heart disease among the conditions linked to passive exposure.
“These measures would reduce the harm second-hand smoke causes the most medically vulnerable in our society,” Whitty said, adding that children, pregnant women and the elderly are particularly at risk.
The consultation, launched on Friday, will run for 12 weeks and invite feedback on which settings should be covered, what exemptions may apply and how the public should be informed. It will close on 8 May 2026.
Officials say the responses will shape future regulations under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently moving through Parliament. The bill is designed to create what ministers call a “smoke-free generation.”
The proposed law also seeks to curb youth addiction to nicotine products, including flavoured vapes that have grown popular among teenagers. Public health experts warn that early exposure often leads to lifelong dependence.
If adopted, enforcement would mirror existing smoke-free rules. Local authorities would oversee compliance, and businesses or individuals who breach the regulations could face fines. A six-month implementation period would allow time for preparation.
Not all outdoor areas would be affected. The government has excluded pub gardens, beaches and private homes from the restrictions, arguing that enforcement would be impractical and overly intrusive in those settings.
Health charities welcomed the proposals, saying stronger rules are long overdue. The British Heart Foundation urged swift action to prevent avoidable illness.
Chief executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths said tougher controls are essential to protect families and vulnerable people. She stressed that smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable death across the country.
Advocates argue that similar policies in other countries have already reduced children’s exposure to harmful pollutants. They say clear public messaging and consistent enforcement are key to making the rules effective.
The government maintains that the changes will not target personal freedoms but rather protect shared spaces where children and patients have little choice but to breathe the surrounding air. Officials insist the priority is safety.
For the National Health Service, the stakes are high. Smoking-related illnesses cost billions annually and contribute to overcrowded hospitals and long waiting lists. Prevention, ministers say, is critical to easing the strain.
As the consultation continues, families, schools and healthcare providers are being encouraged to submit their views. The outcome could shape England’s most comprehensive anti-smoking framework in more than a decade.
