How Old Do You Have to Be to Vape?

Walk into a convenience shop anywhere in the UK and you’ll likely find a locked cabinet filled with bright, eye-catching vapes. For many, it’s become as familiar a sight as rows of chocolate bars or energy drinks. But not everyone walking past those shelves is legally allowed to buy what’s inside.

So, how old do you have to be to vape in the UK? The short answer is 18. But like most legal cutoffs, there’s more to the legal age to vape than a number. If you're a parent, a young person, a retailer, or just curious about how vaping is regulated compared to smoking, this guide lays it all out.

The law is very clear on this. In the UK, you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products, the same as the legal age to smoke in the UK. Vaping products include:

• E-liquids (nicotine or nicotine-free)
• E-cigarettes
• Coils, tanks, and refill containers are sold as part of a vaping device

The rules are set out in the Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015, along with the broader Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. Together, these make it illegal:

• For retailers to sell to anyone under 18
• For adults to buy vape products on behalf of under-18s
• For underage individuals to be sold nicotine-free vape products

Before 2015, there wasn’t a specific law stopping under-18s from buying vape kits. Retailers often self-regulated, but legal enforcement was hit-or-miss. The rise of youth vaping in the early 2010s and increasing scrutiny of candy-flavoured, brightly coloured disposables led to tighter laws.

In May 2016, the UK brought its rules in line with the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), introducing:

• Mandatory health warnings
• Tank size restrictions (2ml max for refillables)
• Nicotine concentration caps (20mg/ml max for retail products)
• Limits on advertising and packaging

But the age barrier remained the central pillar. The legal age to vape is 18, and if you're below it, you can't legally vape, simple as that.

The UK has strict rules to keep vaping products out of the hands of anyone under 18. Retailers and adults alike must follow these laws or face serious consequences.

For Retailers:

Selling a vape product to someone under 18 can result in:

• A fixed penalty notice
• Fines of up to £2,500 per offence
• Local authority investigation and licence review

There’s also a reputational cost. Most UK vape shops rely on customer trust, and knowingly breaking the law risks losing more than just money; it risks their future in the business.

For Adults Buying on Behalf of Teens:

You have to be 18 years or older to buy vapes. But, what if you get an adult to purchase on your behalf? This is called “proxy purchasing,” and it’s illegal. That includes parents, siblings, or friends who think they’re doing someone a favour.

For Underage Users:

Interestingly, there’s no criminal offence for possession. Police and schools may confiscate vapes and issue a warning, but underage individuals aren’t prosecuted under current UK law. That said, it’s a disciplinary issue in most schools, and persistent behaviour can lead to broader consequences.

There’s a common myth that if a product is nicotine-free, it slips through the legal cracks. That may have been partly true in the early days, but it’s no longer the case.

Current regulations classify all vaping devices under the same umbrella, whether they contain nicotine or not. The law focuses on the product’s use and potential appeal to young people, not just its chemical makeup.

So if you’re 16 and hoping to buy a nicotine-free disposable at your local off-licence, the answer is still no.

UK Legal Age to Vape Compared to Other Countries

Understanding Britain’s stance is easier when you look at what other countries are doing.

Britain’s approach is relatively moderate. While the age limit is firm, it still supports vaping as a harm-reduction tool for quitting smoking.

Why the Vape Age Limit Matters

This isn’t just a legal technicality. There are sound public health reasons for setting a minimum age.

• Nicotine and the Adolescent Brain: Numerous studies suggest that nicotine exposure during adolescence can alter brain development, increasing the risk of long-term dependence and cognitive issues.
• Risk of Addiction: Even low-strength vapes can create dependency in underage users, especially with high-nicotine disposables like 20mg bars, which mimic the hit of a cigarette.
• Marketing Concerns: Critics argue that certain vape designs, names, and flavours are clearly designed to appeal to younger audiences. The legal age to vape of 18 is one way to create a buffer between branding and vulnerable groups.

How Retailers and Brands Handle Vape Age Laws

Legitimate UK vape retailers follow a “Challenge 25” policy, asking for ID if a customer looks under 25. This policy mirrors the one used for alcohol and tobacco sales. Online vape shops also rely on age verification systems at checkout, often cross-referencing credit data, ID documents, or electoral roll information.

Brands, meanwhile, are under increasing pressure to market responsibly. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has cracked down on vape ads appearing on TikTok and Instagram, especially when they’re clearly targeting younger users.

For years, the legal vape age limit of 18 didn’t stop the rise in teen vaping. Disposables were a big reason why. Compact, colourful, and sold in sweet-shop flavours, they became the go-to for underage users. Brands like Elf Bar and Lost Mary topped the charts, not among adults, but among 13- to 17-year-olds.

That’s why, as of June 2025, the UK has banned disposable vapes entirely, including those with 0% nicotine. The ban is part of a broader push to enforce the age restriction more effectively and to keep vaping as a harm-reduction tool for adults, not a recreational habit for teenagers. Early data already shows a dip in youth use since the ban took effect.

Bottom Line: You Must Be 18 to Vape in the UK

There’s no ambiguity here. Whether it’s your first puff on an Elf Bar or a refill for your Vaporesso kit, the age you can vape is 18 or older. Retailers have a legal and ethical duty to enforce this. Parents and educators need to stay informed. And young people? They deserve clear, honest information, not scare tactics, but the truth.

Vaping has a place in the UK’s harm-reduction strategy. But it’s not for children, and never has been. Want to learn more? Explore our detailed vaping guide for everything you need to know.