UK vaping rules started with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, which copied the EU's Tobacco Products Directive into UK law. Plenty has been added since. Here is where things stand, with the source for each rule so you can check it yourself.
Rules in force now
| Rule | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 18+ sales | Retailers cannot sell vapes or e-liquid (with or without nicotine) to under-18s, and adults cannot buy for them. Full detail in our legal age guide | Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, ss.10-11, in force 29 October 2026 (replacing the 2015 Regulations) |
| 20mg/ml cap | No nicotine e-liquid above 20mg/ml | TRPR 2016 |
| 10ml bottles | Nicotine refills max 10ml; tanks max 2ml | TRPR 2016 |
| MHRA notification | Every nicotine product notified before sale | TRPR 2016 |
| Disposables ban | Single-use vapes banned from sale since 1 June 2025 | Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) Regulations |
The Tobacco and Vapes Act
The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 already sets the 18+ sale rules (in force from 29 October 2026) and gives the government powers over vape flavours, packaging and point-of-sale display, and brings in a ban on vape advertising and sponsorship, reported for June 2027. Several of these measures depend on regulations that are still being consulted on, so dates and details can move. We update this page when they are confirmed, and new rule changes appear on our news page first.
Where a rule is still at consultation stage we say so. Check legislation.gov.uk for the current text before relying on any date.
What it means for you
For most adult vapers, very little changes day to day: refillable pod kits and 10ml nic salts remain the standard. The biggest shift has already happened with the disposables ban, which is why the bottled versions of disposable flavours, like Elfliq and Elux Legend, now make up so much of what UK vapers buy.
Questions readers ask
Are disposable vapes banned in the UK?
Yes. Single-use vapes have been banned from sale since 1 June 2025. Refillable and rechargeable devices are still legal.
What is the maximum nicotine strength for e-liquid in the UK?
20mg/ml, in bottles of no more than 10ml.