Updated 24 October 2026. This guide summarises the main UK rules that affect vaping and nicotine products. It is general information, not legal advice, and rules can change.
What changes on 29 October 2026
The next stage of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 comes into force on 29 October 2026, across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, in shops and online. According to the government's retailer guidance:
- 18+ for every vaping and nicotine product. The age of sale now covers nicotine-free e-liquids and vapes, components such as pods and coils, and nicotine pouches, strips and pearls. Previously, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it applied only to products containing nicotine. Batteries, chargers and leads are not included.
- Buying for someone under 18 is an offence. The adult who makes the purchase commits the offence. It carries a £200 fixed penalty in England, Wales and Scotland (£250 proposed in Northern Ireland), or a larger fine if prosecuted.
- No free samples or giveaways. Retailers can no longer give vaping or nicotine products, or coupons for them, to the public to promote them. This includes free samples and free gifts, in store or online.
- No promotional deep discounts. Selling at a substantial discount, or for a nominal sum, to promote a product is an offence. Normal price reductions, clearance of unsold stock and bulk discounts are still allowed.
For Vape Supermall customers, this means you must be 18 or over to buy anything from our vaping and nicotine ranges, including 0mg shortfills and nicotine pouches.
Vaping Products Duty
From 1 October 2026, a duty of £2.20 per 10ml applies to all vaping liquids, including nicotine-free e-liquids, and products released to the UK market must carry a vaping duty stamp. Retailers have a limited period, until April 2027, to sell existing unstamped stock that entered the supply chain before 1 October.
Age of sale
It is illegal to sell vaping or nicotine products to anyone under 18, or to buy them on behalf of someone under 18. We do not sell to anyone under 18, and you must confirm you are 18 or over to purchase.
Nicotine strength, bottle and tank size
Under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR):
- Nicotine-containing e-liquid must not exceed 20mg/ml.
- Bottles of nicotine-containing e-liquid must not exceed 10ml.
- Tanks and pods must not hold more than 2ml of nicotine-containing e-liquid.
- Products must be notified to the MHRA before sale and carry a nicotine health warning.
Nicotine-free shortfills can be sold in larger bottles, which is why they are designed to have nic shots added.
Single-use vapes
The sale and supply of single-use (disposable) vapes has been banned in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland since 1 June 2025. Rechargeable and refillable devices, including prefilled pod kits with replaceable pods, remain legal.
What else the Tobacco and Vapes Act covers
The Act received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026. As well as the changes above, it gives the government powers to introduce a retail licensing scheme, to regulate the flavours, packaging, display and advertising of vapes and nicotine products, and to create vape-free places. Those measures depend on further regulations, and we will update this page as they come into force.
Disposing of vapes and batteries
Vapes contain lithium batteries and must not go in household bins. Take used devices and batteries to a retailer take-back point or household recycling centre.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Selling vaping and nicotine products
- Business Companion: Vaping Products Duty and duty stamps
- Chartered Trading Standards Institute: next phase of the Tobacco and Vapes Act
Vaping products contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Not for sale to anyone under 18.