Motorists are being urged not to leave vapes in their cars overnight as freezing temperatures grip the UK. The advice comes as a Yellow Cold-Health Alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), remains in place for parts of England, with temperatures expected to plunge as low as -7°C in some rural areas.
The 51-hour warning runs from 9am on Thursday, November 12 until 12pm on Saturday, November 14, 2026. It has been triggered by a blast of Arctic air delivering the first major cold snap of the season. Nationwide, temperatures are expected to fall to between -5°C and -7°C in frost-prone rural locations, while many towns and cities will drop to approximately 0°C to -3°C.
Risks to vulnerable groups and everyday items
Cold conditions present increased risks to adults aged 65 and above, people with existing heart or lung conditions, and rough sleepers. Freezing weather can also affect everyday items left in vehicles, with vapers cautioned that typical winter habits could damage their devices and potentially place them at risk.
According to figures from the Office for National Statistics and the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) survey, an estimated 5.4 to 5.5 million adults in Great Britain currently vape, roughly 10% of the adult population. Vaping prevalence has now overtaken cigarette smoking among adults in Great Britain, reports Yorkshire Live.
Protecting vape devices in cold weather
Dr Marina Murphy, Head of External Affairs UK and Scientific Affairs at Northerner, has highlighted common vaping errors to avoid this winter. She strongly recommends not leaving a vape in a vehicle overnight when freezing conditions set in. The device's battery can freeze, and if recharged before it has warmed up adequately, it may malfunction and overheat, creating a fire hazard.
Cold weather also causes e-liquid to thicken, preventing it from being absorbed by the coil properly, resulting in burnt hits. Fluctuating temperatures can cause the tank to crack or leak fluid across a car's interior. Dr Murphy emphasises the importance of allowing the vape to return to room temperature and checking the device thoroughly for any leaks before charging. If a leak is suspected, it is safer to replace the device entirely.
Storage and temperature change advice
While using a vape in a heated room poses no danger, leaving a device directly next to a hot radiator or fire can subject its battery to extreme heat. Vapers should store devices at room temperature, away from direct heat sources.
Dr Marina Murphy said: "Keeping a vape in your coat pocket can pose a risk if pressure from other items in your pocket, such as gloves, a scarf, or your phone, accidentally activates the device. This can cause the coil to overheat, potentially leading to damage or e-liquid leaks."
She added: "To reduce these risks, ensure the device is switched off when not in use and avoid storing it in a pocket that contains metal objects that could damage or accidentally activate the device."
Moving between the cold outdoors and a warm home or car can cause condensation to form on a vape device, particularly during rapid temperature shifts. Moisture around the charging port could compromise both the device's performance and safety. Should condensation appear, the device should be left to dry out thoroughly in a safe spot before use or charging. To sidestep these complications, Dr Murphy recommends vapers consider switching to alternative products such as nicotine pouches.
