How Old Do You Have To Be To Vape In The UK?
Like with smoking, vaping is subject to strict age restrictions as vapes contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance. Read on to learn more about UK laws on the legal vaping age and how these are effectively enforced.
What is the legal vaping age?
In the UK you must be 18 or over to buy any vape or tobacco products. However, under the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill after January 1st 2027 anyone born on or after January 1st 2009 will not ever be permitted to buy vapes or cigarettes, regardless of their age. The aim of this new legislation is to create a “smokefree generation”.
Can you vape with nicotine free products under 18?
When hearing that nicotine free e-liquids exist, many people wonder if this means the vaping age is different for 0 nicotine products. The short answer is no. People under the age of 18 are not allowed to use nicotine free products because of a few things; Firstly, the NHS states that young people’s bodies are highly sensitive to inhaling heated chemicals. Additionally it is argued that the hand to mouth action of vaping even with nicotine free products will make it more likely that young people will take up vaping with nicotine later on.
How does age verification work when buying vapes online?
Controls on the sale of vapes online are still as reputable as the mechanisms in in-person shops. At Vapemate we use 1Account to help us verify the age of all of our customers.
The steps to successfully go through 1Account verification include:
Step 1. Open your email from 1Account and click the link to confirm your information. Sometimes these emails end up in spam so be sure to check all of your inboxes.
Step 2. Choose the method you wish to use to verify your identity. You can choose options including phone call, debit card, UK driving license, Citizen Card, National DB or electoral roll.
Step 3. Your information is verified and we process, pack and dispatch your order!
With 1Account verification does sometimes fail but don't worry- you can provide us with your driving licence or passport which can be manually checked against 1Accounts databases.
The great thing about 1Account is if you have an account with us you will only be asked to verify your age the first time you place an order, skipping the faff of constantly reverifying.
In the UK the vaping age and the smoking age are the same, that is - restricted to people 18 and over.
You must be 18 or over to purchase cigarettes in the UK.
No you cannot vape under the age of 18, even with parents permission. A parent buying vapes for their child is making an illegal “proxy” purchase.
Vaping underage can impact brain and lung development as well as cause nicotine dependency issues at a young age.
Yes, whether you buy from an online supermarket or a vape retailer you will need to confirm your age.
Yes, vaping can age the skin prematurely as it constricts the blood vessels, reducing blood flow and oxygen levels in your skin. Nicotine also breaks down collagen, causing your skin to lose it`s elasticity faster.
Yes, like with buying a vape kit you must be 18 or older to buy e-liquids.
Vaping is age restricted to protect the developing lungs and brains of children and teenagers.
The Takeaways…
Vaping is strictly limited to people over the age of 18, whether the vape contains nicotine or not. It is important to limit vaping to 18+ as the chemicals in e-liquids can be especially harmful to the developing lungs of teens and children. Whether buying vapes in person or online there are reputable ways to verify the age of customers, keeping vapes out of the hands of underage people.
Related Posts
-
06/05/2026
Do Vapes Have Calories?
Wondering if vapes increase your calorie intake? This guide will give you everything you need to know on calories and vaping!
-
20/05/2026
Does Vaping Make You Gain Weight?
Wondering if vaping can affect your weight levels? In this guide, we explore how vaping may affect appetite and food cravings.
-
17/04/2026
Tobacco and Vapes Act Explained
The government's new 'Tobacco and Vapes Act' is here. This guide explains this new bill and what it could mean for both consumers and retailers!
