What Vapes Are Illegal in the UK?

What Vapes Are Illegal in the UK?

In the UK, not all vape products are legal. While vaping is permitted and regulated, certain devices and e-liquids fall outside legal limits and are considered illegal to sell, supply, or possess. These typically include disposable vapes that exceed legal size or nicotine limits, non-compliant e-liquids, and unlicensed imports that haven’t been approved by UK authorities. The regulations are in place to protect public health, especially among younger users, and to ensure consistency and safety in the products available on the market.

If a vape does not meet the requirements set by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) or breaches limits outlined in the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR), it is classified as illegal.

Disposable Vapes That Exceed Legal Limits

One of the most common illegal products on the market is oversized disposable vapes. UK law limits disposables to a maximum of 2ml of e-liquid and a nicotine strength of 20mg/ml. This typically equates to around 600 puffs per device. Any vape claiming to offer 1,500, 3,000, or even 5,000 puffs almost certainly exceeds these limits and is not legal for sale in the UK.

Despite this, some of these devices still make it into shops or online retailers. They are often imported from countries with looser regulations and sold without proper labelling, warnings, or ingredient listings. Trading Standards and border control regularly seize such products.

Non-Compliant E-Liquids and Nicotine Shots

E-liquids sold in the UK must follow strict rules on bottle size, strength, packaging, and ingredients. The maximum strength allowed for nicotine-containing e-liquid is 20mg/ml, and the maximum bottle size is 10ml for anything containing nicotine. Larger bottles are only allowed if they are nicotine-free and labelled for use with nicotine shots.

E-liquids that exceed this strength, lack proper child-resistant packaging, or include banned ingredients such as vitamin E acetate or caffeine are considered illegal. Any e-liquid that has not been registered with the MHRA and undergone the proper toxicological assessments is also not permitted for sale.

Unregulated Imports and Counterfeit Devices

Illegal vapes also include unregulated imports, which are products sold in the UK without meeting safety and compliance checks. These may come from online sellers based abroad or independent retailers importing products themselves. Many of these devices are counterfeit versions of popular brands—made to look convincing, but without quality control or proper internal components.

Counterfeit or grey market vapes are a serious concern because they may contain unknown substances, leak chemicals, or deliver dangerously high doses of nicotine. Their labelling is often misleading or completely absent, and they don’t comply with UK safety standards.

How to Spot an Illegal Vape

If a disposable vape offers more than 600 puffs, contains more than 2ml of e-liquid, or has no clear nicotine warning on the packaging, it’s likely illegal. Likewise, e-liquids sold in larger bottles that already contain nicotine (rather than being zero-nicotine shortfills) are not allowed under UK law. If the packaging lacks proper ingredient listings, health warnings, or appears written in a foreign language without a UK importer listed, it’s a red flag.

Purchasing from trusted retailers and checking for MHRA registration is the best way to avoid illegal or unsafe products.

Why Vape Regulations Exist in the UK

UK vape laws are designed to strike a balance between supporting adult smokers who want to quit and protecting young people and non-smokers from harm. By placing limits on nicotine strength, e-liquid volume, and packaging, the regulations aim to reduce the risk of addiction, prevent misuse, and ensure product safety. Oversized, high-nicotine vapes are more likely to appeal to teens and new users, which is why they’ve been banned.

These rules also help protect consumers from unknown chemicals, faulty batteries, or untested devices that could cause health issues or injury. Legal vapes must meet strict labelling and testing standards before they can be sold.

Enforcement and Seizures by Trading Standards

Enforcement of vape regulations in the UK is handled by Trading Standards and Border Force, both of which have ramped up efforts in response to a surge in illegal imports. Across the country, thousands of illegal vapes have been seized from corner shops, market stalls, and online warehouses. Retailers caught selling non-compliant products can face fines, product confiscation, and in some cases, prosecution.

There have also been reports of shops losing their licence to sell vape products entirely after repeated violations. Enforcement is increasingly targeting youth access as well, with undercover test purchases being used to catch stores selling to minors.

The Rise of Illegal High-Puff Vapes

One of the biggest concerns in the current vape market is the influx of high-puff disposable devices, often advertised as offering 2,000 to 5,000 puffs or more. These devices typically contain far more than the 2ml limit—some up to 10ml of e-liquid—and are often unlabelled or falsely labelled to bypass scrutiny. Many of them are smuggled in bulk from overseas and sold cheaply at convenience stores or online.

Because they’re unregulated, there’s no guarantee of what’s inside, making them a major concern for health authorities. In many cases, consumers may think they’re buying a standard device, when in fact they’re using a product that’s both illegal and potentially harmful.

Penalties for Selling or Possessing Illegal Vapes

Retailers who stock illegal vapes face heavy consequences, including fines that can run into the thousands and, in some cases, criminal charges. Even customers who are found in possession of illegal vape products—especially at borders or in restricted zones—may have them confiscated or be asked to explain their origin.

While enforcement mainly targets sellers and distributors, it’s still important for consumers to understand that buying or using illegal vapes supports the black market and increases the risk of using an unsafe product.

Final Word

In the UK, vapes are legal but tightly regulated. Any product that exceeds nicotine strength or liquid volume limits, hasn’t been approved by the MHRA, or is imported without proper oversight is illegal to sell or supply. Oversized disposables, unlabelled e-liquids, and counterfeit devices all fall into this category. If in doubt, stick to reputable sellers and check that the product meets UK safety requirements. Using illegal vape products not only risks your health but may also land the seller in serious legal trouble