Vaping and Smoking Rules on Reality TV

• Smoking and vaping are increasingly restricted on UK reality TV shows to avoid glamorisation and respond to viewer concerns.
• Rules vary across programs: some ban on-camera use entirely.
• Supervision, off-camera restrictions, and editing practices ensure nicotine use stays discreet.

Fans of reality TV will have noticed that vaping and smoking are shown less frequently on their favourite shows than they were just a few years ago. This is due to a combination of factors, including viewer complaints about smoking on TV, concerns about potentially glamorising vaping, and stricter on-set regulations. However, the rules can vary between broadcast channels and even between shows. Here we break down the different rules and regulations on vaping and smoking on camera across some of the UK’s most popular reality TV shows.

While early seasons of Love Island would have seen Islanders gathered around the smoking area for a gossip and more than one alcohol-fuelled argument, Islanders are no longer allowed to smoke or vape inside the villa. While UK vaping and smoking laws mean you can typically vape and smoke in outdoor areas, this is also prohibited on the show, with Islanders having to exit the villa one at a time to smoke or vape, and with strict rules limiting Islander’s consumption to one vape or ten cigarettes per day.

Some viewers have spotted that the celebs in the jungle do smoke and vape. This is because, despite bans on numerous other consumer items, the celebs are allowed a supply of nicotine products, which can be cigarettes or vapes. While smokers are free to smoke as much as they wish, those who plan on vaping while on the show are required to get a prescription from a doctor before entering the show. Other alternative nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches, are also allowed in the camp. 

The Traitors is known for having very strict rules for contestants to ensure there are no spoilers for the contestants and viewers alike. Previous cast members from the show have revealed that TV remotes are banned, much of the castle is out of bounds, and that there is a strict two-drink limit for alcoholic drinks. But, to the relief of some of the contestants, there isn’t any ban on the use of cigarettes or alternative nicotine products such as vapes or nicotine pouches. However, there is one condition: they cannot be left alone while smoking or vaping. Supervision of smoking and vaping is to help ensure the mystery and integrity of the game, so the Faithful, as they are called on the show, truly are as clueless to the identities of the Traitors as the airing of the show suggests.

In the past, when the show was aired on Channel 5 or Channel 4, the infamous Big Brother House would have a very visible smoking area, usually with a memorable design. One year, the housemates even had to sit in a big ashtray as part of a task! Things have changed, though, and now any smoking must happen off-camera. The smoking area is the only place in the house where housemates are allowed to smoke or vape. The area does have cameras in it, but the footage is never intended to be broadcast, although the production team has been known to make the occasional exception, when conversations that took place in the smoking area have been deemed too important not to air.

According to Ella Ding, star of the 2022 edition of the Australian show, contestants were allowed to use vapes but were not permitted to bring them onto set. Despite these rules, her co-star Domenica revealed that most cast members would still vape discreetly during filming of the show, but these moments would be edited out before going to air. 

Vaping is generally permitted on the show, but there are some rules around it. While the show doesn't specifically prohibit vaping, it's never explicitly shown or promoted. Contestants can vape in their own time, but in keeping with the policy of not glamorising smoking or vaping, you won’t ever really see members of the show doing so. The show, which shows the high life of Chelsea locals, has been criticised for its staging, with some reports that the famous night-out scenes are actually filmed during the day with fake alcoholic drinks, so it’s not surprising that those who want to could smoke or vape when the cameras aren’t rolling.