'Vaping' might be more widely permitted than smoking regular cigarettes, but there are still some places where the practice is frowned upon or even banned.
One of those places, however, is not the Cloud Cafe in Middlesbrough.
In fact, the eaterie's unique selling point is that it actively encourages diners to vape away to their heart's content - and sells everything you need to get going.
Vaping is believed by many to be a healthier alternative to smoking, taken up by those looking to kick the habit.
And in the interim they can enjoy hundreds of flavours of ‘vapour’ using e-cigs - otherwise known as e-cigarettes - to deliver nicotine in a similar way to smoking.
E-ciagrettes contain 1% of the amount of free radicals in tobacco smoke.
Customers can use them freely in the Cloud Cafe and order snacks such as paninis and jacket potatoes, drinks, cakes and sweet treats at the new Borough Road venture without upsetting fellow diners.
Owner Mass Qafouri - who has ‘vape’ stores across the area - told the Gazette: “I first had the idea about a year ago from vaping forums online.
“Most other pubs and restaurants are not accepting of it - so I thought ‘why not start a cafe just for vapers?’.
“Now is the right time.”
The 44-year-old dad-of-two, who lives in Great Ayton, said that he hopes the venue will become a hub for those who vape.
Dad to Yazdan, 17, and Eizad, 10, Mass kicked cigarettes himself around three to four years ago when he was smoking around 40 a day.
He now uses 0% nicotine e-cigarettes.
“There are quite a few of us and I can see the change in my own body," he said.
"Breathing is easier, things taste better, there are no smells and I’m not craving any more.”
