It is illegal to sell electronic cigarettes or vapes to anyone under the age of 18. Any illegal or unsafe products are liable to be seized and traders found making illegal underage sales may be prosecuted and fined.

Between March and July 2024 within the BCP area our Trading standards team have seized almost 7,500 illegal vapes, with a street value of approximately £74,000.

Many of these vapes are oversized and contain illegal quantities of nicotine.

How to spot illegal vaping products

Check the number of puffs printed on the vape or label:

• the maximum tank size is 2ml. This is equivalent to 600-650 puffs for disposables.
• products advertising significantly more usage than this are illegal

Check the health warnings:

• in the UK the warning must cover 30% of the front and back of the pack
• the health warning must read "This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance"
• use of the word 'chemical' is only used in the USA market. In the UK we use 'substance'

Check for nicotine content:

• the product must indicate the nicotine content and delivery per dose
• the maximum e-liquid capacity is 2ml
• the maximum nicotine strength is 20mg (2%)

Check the manufacturers details:

• the vape packaging must contain the manufacturer or importer name and contact details
• the manufacturer or importer must be registered on the MHRA website

If you have any concerns, report them by calling Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.