No, vaping indoors in Austria is prohibited under the 2024 amendment to the Tobacco and Non-Smoker Protection Act (TNRSG), which classifies e-cigarettes as tobacco products. The law grants federal states discretion to impose stricter rules, with Vienna and Upper Austria already banning indoor vaping in public spaces. Violations risk fines up to €1,000 for individuals and €10,000 for businesses.
Key Regulations for Vaping Indoors in Austria
- Federal Ban: The TNRSG explicitly prohibits vaping in enclosed workplaces, restaurants, bars, and public transport nationwide, aligning with EU tobacco control directives.
- State-Level Variations: Lower Austria and Styria permit vaping in designated smoking areas, while Salzburg and Vorarlberg enforce total indoor bans. Compliance officers in Vienna conduct unannounced inspections.
- 2026 Compliance Deadline: Businesses must install signage by January 2026 under the Non-Smoker Protection Amendment, or face penalties. The Austrian Health Ministry’s Rauchfreiheit 2025 initiative mandates digital reporting of violations.
Enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of local Gesundheitsämter (health authorities), which collaborate with police to monitor compliance. Exemptions exist for private residences and designated vaping lounges, provided they meet ventilation standards outlined in the Arbeitsstättenverordnung (Workplace Ordinance). Failure to adhere to state-specific rules may trigger additional sanctions under regional public health laws.