The UK vaping market is subject to rules covering product safety, nicotine strength, packaging, age-restricted sales, product notification, environmental responsibilities, advertising and, from October 2026, Vaping Products Duty and duty stamps.

This page provides a general overview for vape retailers and trade customers. Regulations can change and some requirements differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so businesses should always check the latest official guidance before placing products on the market or offering them for sale.

Last reviewed: 9 August 2026.

Vaping, Nicotine & Responsible Use

Vaping is not risk-free. NHS guidance states that nicotine vaping is less harmful than smoking, but the long-term effects of vaping are not yet fully known. Vapes are intended as an alternative for adult smokers and should not be used by children or non-smokers. Nicotine is an addictive substance.

For further health information, visit the NHS vaping guidance.

Nicotine-containing vape products must carry the required health warning:

“This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.”

For products covered by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, this warning must appear in the prescribed format on the front and back of the unit packet and container pack.

View the nicotine labelling requirements on legislation.gov.uk.

Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016

The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR) remain a central part of UK vape regulation. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for the notification scheme for nicotine-containing vaping products and works alongside Trading Standards and other regulators.

Under the current TRPR requirements:

• E-cigarette tanks and relevant cartridges or pods supplied to consumers are restricted to 2ml.
• Nicotine-containing refill bottles are restricted to 10ml.
• Nicotine-containing e-liquids must not exceed 20mg/ml nicotine.
• Relevant products and packaging must be child-resistant and tamper-evident.
• Certain ingredients, including colourings, caffeine and taurine, are prohibited.
• Applicable products must comply with labelling, packaging, safety and notification requirements.

Read the MHRA consumer-product vape regulations guidance.

MHRA Product Notification

Products falling within the notification regime must be properly notified and published by the MHRA before they can legally be supplied.

Retailers and wholesalers should check the MHRA published product database when purchasing new stock. If a product cannot be found, the supplier should be asked to provide sufficient information to verify its notification status.

Importantly, publication on the MHRA notified-products list does not by itself guarantee compliance with every UK requirement. Retailers remain responsible for ensuring the products they supply comply with applicable rules.

Businesses that manufacture, import or rebrand relevant products may qualify as a producer and may have additional notification responsibilities.

Search the MHRA ECIG notified-products database.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Businesses supplying Northern Ireland should be aware that notification arrangements differ from Great Britain.

Products placed on the Great Britain market are notified through the GB domestic system. Products placed on the Northern Ireland market are subject to separate notification arrangements using EU-CEG.

Certain cross-border distance sellers supplying into or out of Northern Ireland may also need to register with the relevant UK authorities.

Check the latest MHRA guidance for Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Single-Use Vape Ban

The sale and supply of single-use or disposable vapes has been illegal throughout the UK since 1 June 2025.

The ban applies to both nicotine and non-nicotine products and covers retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and importers, including online sales.

Businesses cannot:

• Sell single-use vapes.
• Supply single-use vapes.
• Offer single-use vapes for sale.
• Hold single-use vapes where they are intended for sale or supply.

A legally reusable vape must meet the applicable reusable-product requirements. In general, it must be rechargeable and refillable. Where the device contains a coil, the coil must be removable and replaceable by the user, either directly or as part of a replaceable pod or cartridge.

Replacement refills and relevant replacement parts must also be separately available to purchase.

Businesses should not assume that a device is compliant simply because it is described as “rechargeable”. The complete reusable-vape requirements must be satisfied.

Read the official single-use vapes ban guidance.

Age-Restricted Vape Sales

As of August 2026, nicotine vaping products must not be sold to anyone under 18. Responsible retailers should operate robust age-verification procedures for both physical and online sales.

A significant change takes effect on 29 October 2026. Under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, the under-18 sales restriction in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will extend across vaping products, including non-nicotine vapes, and other regulated nicotine products.

From 29 October 2026, the Act also introduces offences concerning adults purchasing vaping or nicotine products on behalf of someone under 18.

Read the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026.

Vape Vending Machines

From 29 October 2026, vape and nicotine-product vending machines become prohibited in England and Wales under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, subject to any specific statutory exceptions.

Retailers and other businesses using vending machines should review the legislation and prepare for the change before it takes effect.

Free Products and Substantial Promotional Discounts

From 29 October 2026, businesses must also consider new rules governing free distribution and promotional discounting.

The Tobacco and Vapes Act makes it an offence in specified circumstances to give away regulated products or coupons to members of the public, or to sell them by retail at a substantial discount, where the purpose is to promote a relevant product or where the business knows or has reason to suspect that promotion will be the effect.

Vaping products and nicotine products are included.

This should not be interpreted as a blanket prohibition on every ordinary retail discount or competitive price. Businesses should nevertheless review giveaways, extremely low promotional pricing, free-product campaigns and similar promotional incentives before the provisions commence.

Vaping Products Duty – 1 October 2026

A major change for the UK vape supply chain begins on 1 October 2026, when the UK introduces Vaping Products Duty (VPD).

The duty is charged at £2.20 per 10ml, equivalent to 22p per ml, and applies whether or not the vaping liquid contains nicotine.

HMRC guidance covers vaping liquid supplied in products such as bottles, cartridges and pods, together with other substances that fall within the Vaping Products Duty rules.

For example:

• A liable 2ml pod attracts £0.44 of Vaping Products Duty.
• A liable 10ml bottle attracts £2.20 of Vaping Products Duty.

VAT continues to apply separately where applicable.

Read HMRC guidance for vape wholesalers and retailers.

Vaping Duty Stamps

From 1 October 2026, liable vaping products newly released onto the UK market must carry an appropriate Vaping Duty Stamp.

The stamp is attached to the outermost retail packaging and must meet HMRC requirements.

Wholesalers and retailers who only sell or distribute duty-paid products do not normally need to obtain Vaping Products Duty approval themselves. However, they have an important responsibility to check their supply chain and ensure applicable new stock carries the required stamp.

Unstamped vaping stock that was produced or imported before 1 October 2026 may continue to be stored and sold during the transitional period until 31 March 2027, subject to the applicable rules.

Businesses should retain evidence showing why any qualifying stock is legitimately unstamped.

From 1 April 2027, vaping products outside duty suspension must carry the required duty stamp regardless of when they were produced, subject to HMRC rules.

HMRC recommends that businesses retain clear supply-chain records including:

• Supplier details
• Purchase invoices
• Delivery notes
• Product records
• Production or import-date evidence where relevant
• Duty and stamp information

Current HMRC wholesaler and retailer guidance states that relevant records should generally be retained for at least six years.

Read HMRC Vaping Products Duty and duty-stamp guidance.

Vape Advertising and Online Product Information

Advertising rules for vaping products are particularly important for websites, social media and digital marketing.

Under the current CAP Code, promotional communications for unlicensed nicotine-containing e-cigarettes and their components are prohibited in many forms of online and electronic media.

There is, however, scope for businesses to provide factual, non-promotional product information on their own websites and, in limited circumstances, other non-paid-for online space under their control.

Current CAP rules also include restrictions relating to:

• Marketing to people under 18.
• Content that is particularly likely to appeal to children.
• Unauthorised health or medicinal claims.
• People who are, or appear to be, under 25 appearing in significant roles involving vape products.
• Clear nicotine statements where required.

For a vape wholesale website, a prudent approach is to keep nicotine-product listings focused on factual information such as:

• Product specifications
• Pack contents
• Compatibility
• Nicotine strength
• VG/PG ratio
• Wholesale pack quantities
• Product-compliance information

Avoid exaggerated health, lifestyle or performance claims that could turn factual product information into prohibited promotional content.

Read CAP Code Section 22 – Electronic Cigarettes.

Read ASA guidance on factual vs promotional vape claims.

Advertising Changes Expected from 1 June 2027

The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 creates a broader advertising and sponsorship regime covering vaping and nicotine products.

The Government currently intends comprehensive advertising and sponsorship restrictions to take effect across the UK from 1 June 2027.

Retail websites are expected to retain scope to provide factual, non-promotional information about products they sell, while content intended to encourage or promote purchases may fall within the new advertising restrictions.

Further secondary legislation and official guidance should be monitored before the commencement date.

Read the Government explanation of the planned advertising changes.

Packaging, Flavours, Device Appearance and Shop Displays

The Tobacco and Vapes Act gives governments additional powers to regulate areas including vape packaging, flavour descriptors, device appearance and retail displays.

As of 9 August 2026, these proposed additional restrictions should not be presented as existing law.

A UK-wide government consultation launched on 10 July 2026 is considering proposals relating to areas including:

• Packaging and branding
• Flavour descriptions
• Colours and visual presentation
• Device appearance
• Digital screens and features
• Retail product displays

The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 2 October 2026. Final requirements will depend on the consultation outcome and subsequent legislation.

View the Government packaging, appearance and display consultation.

Retail Licensing and Product Registration

The Tobacco and Vapes Act provides powers to introduce a new retail licensing system for tobacco, vape and nicotine-product sellers in England and Wales and provides for strengthened product-registration arrangements.

However, the detailed licensing arrangements are not yet fully operational as of August 2026.

Further regulations and consultation are required before businesses should treat a particular future licensing model, fee structure or registration process as final.

Businesses should monitor GOV.UK and legislation.gov.uk for further commencement regulations and implementation guidance.

Vape Recycling and WEEE Responsibilities

Vapes are electrical products and are covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.

Businesses that sell vapes as distributors may have obligations to provide an appropriate take-back route for relevant vape waste.

This may include:

• Used vape devices
• Used pods and cartridges where applicable
• Coils and electrical components
• Vape batteries

Vape waste should be stored and handled safely and sent for appropriate recycling rather than being placed in general waste.

Businesses that place vaping devices on the UK market may also have producer responsibilities relating to electrical equipment, batteries and packaging.

View UK producer responsibility guidance.

Vape Battery and Charging Safety

Vape devices commonly use lithium-ion batteries, so proper charging, handling and storage are important.

Official product-safety advice includes:

• Use the charger supplied or approved for the device.
• Follow the manufacturer's charging instructions.
• Do not leave charging devices unattended for long periods.
• Avoid charging devices overnight.
• Charge on a stable, non-flammable surface.
• Do not use visibly damaged batteries or devices.
• Do not remove or disable built-in safety features.
• Keep loose batteries protected from metal objects that could cause a short circuit.

Vapes and lithium-ion batteries should never be disposed of in general household or commercial waste. They should be sent through an appropriate electrical or battery recycling route.

Read the UK Government vape battery safety guidance.

Due Diligence for Vape Retailers and Wholesalers

Retailers and wholesalers should carry out reasonable checks before purchasing or supplying vaping products.

Good compliance procedures should include:

• Confirming the identity and legitimacy of suppliers.
• Checking applicable MHRA notification information.
• Checking product labels and packaging.
• Checking nicotine strength and capacity limits where applicable.
• Retaining supplier invoices and delivery records.
• Checking that devices comply with reusable-vape requirements.
• Checking batch information where relevant.
• Checking Vaping Duty Stamps and associated evidence from October 2026.
• Keeping adequate supply-chain records.

If a product appears illegal, counterfeit, incorrectly labelled or otherwise non-compliant, it should not be supplied until its status has been properly established.

Read MHRA advice for vape retailers and producers.

Reporting Vape Safety Concerns

Suspected adverse reactions, defective products and other safety concerns involving nicotine-containing e-cigarettes or e-liquids can be reported to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Reports can be made by consumers, businesses and healthcare professionals and help the MHRA identify potential safety issues.

Report a vape safety concern through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Concerns about illegal sales, non-compliant products or local retail enforcement can also be referred to the relevant Trading Standards service.

Official UK Vape Regulation Resources

For the latest legal and regulatory requirements, businesses should use official government and regulator sources rather than relying solely on third-party summaries.

• MHRA E-cigarette & Vape Products Guidance Hub – Central MHRA vape compliance guidance.
• E-cigarettes: Regulations for Consumer Products – TRPR product limits, packaging and notification requirements.
• MHRA Advice for Retailers and Producers – Stock checking, notification and retailer responsibilities.
• MHRA ECIG Notified Products Search – Search published vape product notifications.
• Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 – Core UK vaping legislation.
• Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 – New tobacco, vape and nicotine legislation.
• Single-use Vapes Ban – Business Guidance – Reusable-product definitions, enforcement and recycling requirements.
• HMRC – Handling Wholesale or Retail Vaping Products – Important Vaping Products Duty guidance for wholesalers and retailers.
• HMRC – Vaping Products Duty & Duty Stamp Preparation – Guidance for manufacturers, importers, warehouses, wholesalers and retailers.
• CAP Code Section 22 – Electronic Cigarettes – Current UK non-broadcast vape advertising rules.
• ASA – Factual vs Promotional Vape Claims – Important guidance for website and product-page content.
• DHSC – Advertising & Sponsorship Changes from 1 June 2027 – Government explanation of forthcoming advertising restrictions.
• Government Consultation – Vape Packaging, Appearance & Display – Proposed future requirements that are not yet final law.
• UK Vape Regulator Profile – Explains the roles of MHRA, Trading Standards, OPSS, Environment Agency and other regulators.
• Government Vape Battery Safety Guidance – Charging and lithium-ion battery safety.
• MHRA Yellow Card – E-cigarettes – Report suspected vape safety issues or adverse reactions.
• NHS – Vaping to Quit Smoking – Official health information relating to vaping, smoking and nicotine.

Important Disclaimer

The information on this page is provided for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice.

Vape, nicotine, environmental, advertising and excise regulations are subject to change and may differ across the four UK nations. Retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and importers remain responsible for ensuring that their activities and the products they supply comply with all applicable legislation and current regulatory guidance.