Vaping is a popular smoking alternative. In the UK, it's important to know the legal age for vaping and other regulations. We've compiled a quick list of essential information to help you:

What is the legal age for vaping in the UK?

Individuals must be 18 or older to purchase vaping products in the UK. This regulation, established on 1 October 2015, prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes and e-liquids to minors, aligning with tobacco purchase age laws. It is illegal to sell e-liquids containing nicotine to individuals under 18, both in-store and online. 

Is the vaping legal age the same as smoking?

In the United Kingdom, it is against the law for individuals who are under 18 years old to purchase tobacco and vaping products. This law was implemented in October 2007 for tobacco, and later extended to e-cigarettes and e-liquids in 2015. This regulation ensures that the age limit for buying both smoking and vaping products remains consistent.

What are the vape age laws around the world?

The legal age for purchasing vaping products varies depending on the specific regulations of each country:

• UK: Legal vaping age is 18.
• USA: Legal vaping age is 21, as per Federal Tobacco 21 legislation.
• Canada: Legal vaping age varies between 18 and 19, depending on the province.
• Europe: Many have a legal vaping age of 18, but there are variations, such as Belgium and Austria, where it's 16.
• Australia: Legal age is 18, with prescription required for nicotine vapes.
• China: Legal age to buy vaping products is 18.
  

Summary

It has been more than a decade since e-cigarettes were first introduced in the UK, and since then, they have become popular among many former smokers. Although most high-quality e-liquids contain nicotine, they differ greatly from the harmful chemicals present in traditional tobacco products.

The UK government has carried out extensive research into the effects of e-liquids and has implemented new regulations over time to ensure the safety of vapers. At Vuse, we adhere to all government regulations.

Learn more about UK vaping laws. 

Since vaping is regarded as a form of smoking in most countries, it is advisable to expect that most of the rules enforced for tobacco products, such as the legal age to vape, will also apply to e-cigarettes.