Are Disposable Vapes Legal in the UK?

For the time being, disposable vapes are legal to use in the UK. However, due to their appeal to young children, disposables will likely be banned in 2025.

Since its inception nearly a decade ago, the vaping industry has thrived within the UK. With the risks and costs of smoking traditional cigarettes, vapes have emerged as a better and safer alternative. After assimilating into society and culture, the UK government has accordingly adapted the laws governing the use of vaping devices and e-liquids.

The TPD directive went into effect on May 20, 2016, limiting tank sizes, maximum nicotine strengths, and bottle sizes. It also meant that any vaping product sold in the UK market had to be submitted to the MHRA to guarantee the quality and safety of these products.

Although the vaping market has grown in size, the devices themselves have shrunk, and we've seen a new trend in the last two years: the incredibly easy to use disposable vapes. As a result of their enormous popularity, we are seeing a flurry of disposable vape releases, and retailers are stocking them without hesitation.

In addition to specialist vape shops and supermarkets selling these devices, they are now being sold in your local corner shop, cafe/fast food store and marketplaces such as Ebay and Gumtree. While the majority of these stores adhere to the regulations, there are a few rogues who disregard the health of their customers by selling Black market vapes.

News reports of shops having their stock seized are becoming more common, but with so many stores now selling these devices, it is becoming nearly impossible to police.

There are a few things you can look out for as a consumer to ensure you're buying legitimate and regulated products.

Purchasing from a reputable retailer

Although it may appear obvious, purchasing your device from a legitimate and reputable seller or manufacturer is critical. Vape Superstore like most, care about their consumers health and their business.

Having said that, there are many websites that appear to be reputable but are selling non-compliant products. So make sure to…

Check the website or ask the seller

If purchasing online be sure to check the description and imagery of the products first. They should state the following:

• A maximum 2ml e-liquid capacity
• A maximum of 20mg nicotine
• A nicotine warning label

Check the product has been submitted and approved by MHRA

You can check the legitimacy of any vaping product on the Medicines and Healthcare Regulation Authority (MHRA) website. All products sold to the UK market must be listed on the MHRA. Just type the name of the brand and product in the available field and it will be displayed if they are authorised.

Check the packaging

If you've already purchased your product but aren't sure if it's safe to vape, check the packaging for a nicotine health warning and nicotine content information (max 20mg or 2%).

The manufacturer's information, such as address and phone number, or website address, should also be included on the packaging. Many companies, including Elf Bar and Lost Mary, place a holographic sticker on the box that allows you to check the authenticity on their websites.

How are big puff vapes legal?

The majority of disposable devices used to allow 550 to 600 puffs of 2% nicotine e-liquid, which equates to 40 to 50 cigarettes per vape. Since 2023, new designs called big puff bars have been released that offer anywhere from 2,400 to 10k puffs per unit.

They use either a device that contains multiple 2ml pods in a rotating chamber, or a 10ml bottle of vape juice that plugs into the kit and tops up a 2ml pod.

Whilst these large puff disposables are fully TPD compliant. It is vital to your well-being to ensure that the ones you are purchasing ahere to the UK safety regulations.

A word on unregulated products

Unfortunately, illicit or unregulated products will always be a problem, not just in the vaping industry. Despite the fact that Trading Standards is doing an excellent job of seizing illegal stock from sellers, it is a never-ending battle.

We understand that regulations are a barrier for many vapers, and perhaps higher nicotine levels and larger tank/pod capacities would be more effective in assisting smokers in quitting. However, while these laws are in effect, Vape Superstore will always abide by the rules and ensure that the products we sell are safe for the consumer.

FAQ's

How many disposable vapes can I bring on a plane?

Before you travel abroad, you need to check the legality of vaping at your desitination. Most airlines allow you to take up to 20 single use devices, but it's best to confirm with your airline before you fly. For more detailed information read out Complete Guide on How to Fly With Vapes.

When are disposable vapes getting banned in the UK?

The Tobacco & Vapes Bill was introduced by then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in March 2024. One of its aims was to ban disposables by 1st April 2025. As things stand, the Labour Party under current Prime Minister Kier Starmer is reviewing the bill to decide how to proceed with this. It looks likely that a disposable ban will be implemented, as the Labour Party shares the same dim view of single use devices as the previous administration. For now, there is no confirmation of when this will take place. Read our full coverage of the UK Disposable Vape Ban.

How to dispose of disposable vapes?

There are a number of ways to recycle your single use vapes. Firstly, you can collect them and drop them off at the vendor you purchased them from. All vape retailers in the UK are required to provide a take back scheme for recycling electronic devices they sell. You can also visit your local electronic waste recycling centre and drop them off there. For further information check out our Guide to Recycling Your Vape.  

What are the best disposable vapes?

The most popular disposable vapes include brands like Elf Bar, Lost Mary, SKE and Vapes Gold. There many other exceptional brands and designs available to suit every taste. For a run down of the top 10 best disposables, take a look at our Best Disposable Vape Kits to Buy in 2024 blog.

If you have any questions about any of the products you have purchased from our website or elsewhere, please contact our support team via phone or email. You can also contact a member of our team via live chat.

www.vapesuperstore.co.uk contains general information about vaping and vapour products. The information provided is not medical advice, and should not be relied upon unless explicitly cited. We do not make any warranties surrounding the health benefits, reliability and accuracy of written copy across all pages on our website, including blog content and content posted on social media.

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