So I find that I can smell vapes a mile off. I don't know what it is but there is something that just sort of really sticks in my upper airways when I catch the smell. It is totally unmistakable and it often makes me cough. Whilst not to be advocated I would rather had cigarette smoke for some reason (and no, I was never a smoker.....)
It is really hard to know what to do - I have seen people vape on the tube, the train and just about everything else. They think they are clever but to me it is so obvious that they are doing it.
I think that complaining at the time is really the only way forward. After the event it is a bit of a 'he said, she said' scenario so it has to be tackled at the time.
My understanding was that vaping was banned on all BA flights the same as smoking is banned but maybe I am wrong. If I recall when the smoking ban came in though it was about safety and comfort etc there was also the economic benefit that you could cycle less air if you stopped smoking thereby saving money but that might all be hearsay from long ago anyway..... So hence the smell from a vape is going to linger around because the air isn't being cycled fast enough to get rid of it that quickly.....
If it were me and it were bothering me then I would just go and get the cabin crew to sort it out. I quite like the suggestion of a 'very strange smell' coming from somewhere........
Anyway - at some point this will get sorted either because someone accuses someone else of vaping and there is a punch up on the plane or someone will end up in court or banned from flying. Then the message will be clear.....
FD.