£50,000 warning for breaching these cinema rules

Whether it’s talking through the film or vaping in the cinema, Brits should be careful before ignoring these common rules of cinema etiquette.

Failure to comply with cinema rules could result in fines of up to £50,000.

Researchers at Haypp reveal five common behaviors Brits exhibit at the cinema that could actually land them a hefty fine, and which of these common offenders Brits find most irritating.

Can I bring alcohol to the cinema?

If you plan to consume an alcoholic beverage at the cinema, be sure to check the cinema’s policy beforehand. Although many cinemas have an alcohol license, meaning they are allowed to sell alcohol on their premises, strict rules usually apply to this.

Licensing laws require control and monitoring of alcohol consumption. Allowing you to bring your own alcohol could be in breach of license requirements.

Viewing of age-restricted films by minors

Similar to laws governing the sale of alcohol, movie theaters are responsible for ensuring that individuals meet age requirements for films (12A, 15, 18). Failure to comply may result in fines for the cinema and not the individual.

Cinemas themselves face a fine of up to £20,000 if they allow underage viewers to watch films suitable for older age groups. Haypp’s data shows that a third of Brits feel uncomfortable watching a film if underage viewers are allowed in.

Can I vape in the cinema?

Due to the UK’s anti-smoking laws, vaping is banned in cinemas. Vaping is treated similarly to smoking in the Smoking Ban Act, which prohibits smoking in enclosed public spaces.

This also includes cinemas. Although vaping does not produce the same harmful second-hand smoke as cigarettes, the law imposes hefty fines of £200 for people caught smoking in cinemas, including the lobby and toilets.

Can I bring food to the cinema?

Although it’s not something you’d typically get fined for, bringing in food and drink from outside is something that causes a lot of confusion among Brits. While some may scoff at those who make sure to hide their snacks under their jackets, you should actually be careful when bringing food to the cinema.

Some cinemas have strict policies against bringing in outside food. Violators may be asked to throw away the food or leave the cinema. Specifically, bringing in food from outside wasn’t particularly offensive to moviegoers, but over two-thirds admitted that noisy and smelly food was definitely unpleasant.

Shot in a cinema

Recording the movie can actually be considered piracy, especially if you share the footage on another platform. Recording a film (or part of a film) in a cinema is illegal under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Anti-piracy laws are strictly enforced in the UK, surveillance measures are in place to catch offenders, and the penalty for doing so is just as severe as the law sounds, with offenders risking a fine of up to £50,000 and even possible prison time.

Surprisingly, new data from Haypp shows that film-loving Brits had no influence on how others watched films. Only 5% cared whether other viewers’ cameras were turned off.