How Old Do You Have to Be to Vape in the UK & Worldwide?

Our products can only be purchased and shipped to people over the age of 18, according to current UK legislation. We are required to verify the age of any new customers.

Why do you need to verify my age?

We appreciate this may be frustrating, and you may be unhappy sharing your personal information. However, the law exists to protect those below a minimum legal age.  

It is the responsibility of all retailers to ensure they do not sell age-restricted products online to people who are under the minimum legal age.

CAN YOU BUY A VAPE AT 16 IN THE UK?

No, you cannot buy a vape at 16 in the UK. The legal age for purchasing vaping products is 18, as set out in government regulations. In October 2015, the following actions were made illegal:

• “for retailers to sell electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or e-liquids to someone under 18
• for adults to buy (or try to buy) tobacco products or e-cigarettes for someone under 18”.
  These laws were put in place to discourage young people from smoking. After all, the primary purpose of nicotine vapes is to act as a stepping stone for former smokers. It then makes perfect sense that young non-smokers should stay away from these devices.

What are the UK laws on vaping?

Initially, there were no laws in the UK prohibiting or limiting the age at which people could buy e-cigarettes or vaping equipment. Over the years as vaping has become increasingly popular, lawmakers saw it necessary to add some control.  The first laws on vaping were passed in 2015. They have been continually reviewed since and most of the efforts have been centred on controlling and putting legislation in place to control the sale of vaping equipment to minors.

Unlike the beginning, vaping has caught on significantly, and more people now prefer e-cigarettes compared to traditional smoking of tobacco. Also, most people who are trying to quit smoking have turned to vaping as a way to kick the smoking habit. With the increasing preference for vaping, the government has had to put measures in place to ensure minors don’t have access to any vaping hardware or liquids.

It is expected that such legislation will continue to be enacted. It is expected that by 2020, there will be more restrictive laws to manage vaping and selling of vaping equipment. Being aware of such legislation to avoid trouble is important.

Vaping laws are a bit of a grey area and differ drastically from those regulating smoking.

At present, you must be 18 or older to buy and use a vape in the UK.

Vape cartridges — the liquid that goes in them — must not hold more than two millilitres of liquid or contain more than 20 milligrams of nicotine per millilitre.

While selling vapes to under 18s is illegal, nicotine-free products can be sold.

The Government is said to be looking into banning fruit-flavoured vapes in an effort to deter young people from taking up the habit.

What Is the Legal Age to Vape Around the World?

America

In 2019 the US passed a law making the minimum age to vape 21. The laws around vaping in the United States are some of the strictest in the world. However, this is only federal law so states can decide their own laws around vaping^[1] if they wish. Many states have less strict age restrictions on vaping with many allowing the sale of e-cigs and vape liquid to over 18s and 19s.

Australia

Australia like the UK has laws in places restricting the age of vaping to over 18s. In terms selling vaping products they are much stricter. According to the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 e-cigs and accessories cannot be displayed inside or outside retailers. The sale and use of e-cigarettes that contain nicotine is prohibited unless the user has a prescription from their doctor.

Canada

In Canada there are no federal laws in place in regards to vaping however each province has its own laws in place. For example, the legal age to buy and use e-cigarettes and other vaping products in Ontario is 19 years old.

Europe

As the UK has just left the EU, the laws around vaping are very similar. The UK has not yet transitioned away from the TPD laws^[3] introduced by the EU in 2016 and may stick with them long after Brexit.

Is Vaping Illegal in Any Countries?

As you can see from these examples the laws regarding vaping around the world vary and they are constantly changing with new information and studies being released. Some of the countries that have outright banned vaping are Turkey, Thailand, Belgium, and Mexico.