Where can you use the e-cigarette?

E-cigarettes are becoming more and more popular among smokers as they are a potential way to reduce the harm associated with nicotine addiction. While we cannot say that e-cigarette use is neutral to health, there are indications that they can reduce the harmfulness of addiction. However, this does not mean that we can use them everywhere - just like in the case of ordinary tobacco products, the use of e-cigarettes also depends on regulations and social rules. So let's think: where can an e-cigarette be used? Can we use an e-cigarette, e.g. on balconies?

E-cigarettes - an alternative to tobacco

Before we get into the question of where to use electronic cigarettes, let's briefly answer what these devices are and why they are used. E-cigarettes are a modern solution that allows you to consume nicotine without inhaling the byproducts of the combustion process. In classic cigarettes, you can find a very large amount of different substances besides nicotine, and many of them are potentially dangerous for us.

In response to this problem, e-cigarettes have been developed that allow you to consume nicotine without burning tobacco. There is no tobacco in electronic cigarettes at all - it has been replaced with a liquid, i.e. a mixture of glycol, glycerin, flavoring substances and nicotine. The liquid is poured into the e-cigarette, where it is then brought to its evaporation temperature by a heating system, commonly known as a heater. This approach avoids the burning process and makes e-cigarettes a potential way to reduce the harm of tobacco addiction.

However, we must not forget that e-cigarettes do not remain neutral to health. They still contain nicotine, which is an addictive and dangerous substance. We should also remember that this is a relatively new product on the market and additional research in this area will be necessary before we know its full effect on the human body.

Where can e-cigarettes be used?

Due to the fact that e-cigarettes do not emit smoke (as this is an inherent part of the combustion process, which, as we already know, does not occur in e-cigarettes), their use may be less noticeable to the environment compared to classic tobacco products. Smoked tobacco has a distinctive and intense smell that e-cigarettes do not have. During their use, the vapor generated by the evaporation of the liquid is released, but its smell will in most cases be weaker than that of cigarette smoke. This does not mean, however, that no restrictions apply to the use of e-cigarettes. How does the use of e-cigarettes look like a legal matter?

In September 2016, an amendment to the EU Act on health protection against the consequences of using tobacco and tobacco products came into force. There we will find information that the ban on smoking tobacco products also applies to alternative devices, including e-cigarettes. This means that e-cigarettes cannot be used in places where you cannot smoke regular cigarettes.

What places are non-smoking? They can include, among others:

• schools;
• parks;
• medical facilities and health services;
• educational establishments other than schools, such as universities and kindergartens;
• dining and entertainment establishments;
• public transport stops and means;
• premises of the workplace (except for specially dedicated places);
• sports facilities rooms.

As we can see, the list of e-cigarette ban places is quite extensive. But what is the situation with balconies? Can an e-cigarette be used on the balcony of a shopping mall or other non-smoking facility?

Can I use an electronic cigarette on the balcony?

In order to answer the question of whether electronic cigarettes can be used on balconies, we must first determine where the balcony is located. This is a complete basis when considering where we can use the e-cigarette, as this location of the balcony will tell us whether we can use it or not.

The matter is very simple in the context of private apartments and houses. In such places, you can use e-cigarettes without any problems. Of course, if we are not in our own apartment, it is best to ask the host about it - this way we will make sure that the use of the e-cigarette will not disturb other people.

But what about balconies in public places, such as shopping malls, hospitals or universities? In this case, everything depends on the owner of the building, who may designate places for smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes in his facility. If a balcony is designated as such, there is no problem with using e-cigarettes there. However, in a situation where the balcony is not marked as a smoking room, it is treated as part of the building and we run the risk of being fined for using an e-cigarette on it.