Where can I smoke or vape in Czechia?
Outdoors mostly yes; indoors the anti-smoking law decides. Since 2017 smoking has been banned in restaurants, bars and cafés, at public-transport stops, in schools, hospitals, cinemas, theatres, shopping centres and on playgrounds — with on-the-spot fines up to CZK 5,000. The stop ban applies even where there is no shelter. The quirk most people miss: e-cigarettes are exempt in restaurants, so vaping indoors is lawful unless the owner bans it in the house rules — but at stops, in schools and in healthcare the ban covers vapes as well. Since 1 December 2025 stricter rules apply to e-cigarettes and refills: limits on flavours, composition and labelling. Anything containing nicotine is sold from 18 only.
📋 The rules
- Smoking bans: restaurants, transit stops, schools, hospitals, cinemas, malls, playgrounds
- Violation: fine up to CZK 5,000 on the spot
- E-cigarettes: restaurant exemption (owner decides); banned at stops, schools, healthcare
- Since 1 Dec 2025: stricter flavour and labelling rules for e-liquids
- Tobacco, vapes and nicotine pouches: 18+ only
🔓 Exceptions
- Designated smoking rooms (airports, some venues)
- Water pipes and e-cigarettes where the venue allows them
- Outdoor spaces except stops, school grounds and playgrounds
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Smoking where it is banned is a misdemeanour with a fine of up to CZK 5,000, which police or municipal officers can impose on the spot. The venue owner is hit harder: tolerating smoking on the premises without asking the customer to leave risks fines in the tens of thousands of crowns — which is why staff throw you out before an inspector arrives. Toughest of all is selling to minors: heavy fines and an activity ban, meaning the business closes. Since 1 December 2025 sanctions also apply to selling e-liquids that fail the new flavour and labelling rules.
📎 Official sources
- Health Ministry · Anti-smoking act FAQ (CS) →
- Czech Police · Anti-smoking act (CS) →
- Health Ministry · E-cigarette decree amendment 12/2025 (CS) →
❓ Frequently asked
May I smoke on a restaurant terrace?
Yes, outdoor terraces are not covered by the anti-smoking ban. It is the owner who decides — they may allow smoking outside or ban it under house rules, and you have to respect that or be asked to leave.
Does the stop ban apply without a shelter?
Yes, the ban covers the area of the stop whether it is roofed or not. A fine of up to CZK 5,000 can reach you on an open boarding island as well — and at a stop the ban covers e-cigarettes too.
Can I vape in a pub?
The law permits it thanks to the e-cigarette exemption, so vaping in a restaurant is not an offence. The owner may still ban it under house rules and you must respect that — at stops or in schools the ban is absolute.
What changed in December 2025?
Stricter rules now apply to e-cigarettes and refill liquids: limits on flavours, composition and labelling. A share of the products vanished from the legal market, and everything with nicotine still sells from 18 only.
May I smoke in a car with children?
Czech law does not expressly ban it, so it is not an offence here and you will not be fined. Several EU countries already fine it and the same debate runs in Czechia — so the call is yours to make.
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