Is It Legal to Vape at 16 in the UK?

The conversation around vaping and young people has grown louder in recent years. With the rise of sleek, flavored devices marketed with bright colors and attractive names, more teenagers in the UK are picking up vapes—and more parents and educators are worried. One question keeps coming up: Is it legal to vape at 16 in the UK? This article dives into the facts, based on UK vape regulations introduced up to 2025, to offer a clear, honest answer.

What Is the Legal Age to Vape in the UK?

Can you legally vape at 16 in the UK? Let’s not complicate it—the answer is no. The legal vaping age in the UK is 18, and that applies across the board: in physical stores, vape shops, supermarkets, and all online platforms.

Here's how that law came to be—and what it means in practice:

1. The Law Behind the Rule

• The legal foundation comes from the Children and Families Act 2014, which gave the government power to restrict access to nicotine inhaling products.

• That power was used to create the Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015.

• Since October 2015, it has been illegal to sell any vape product—with or without nicotine—to anyone under 18.

2. Enforcement Is Serious

• Retailers must check ID. No excuses.

• Local Trading Standards officers regularly run undercover test purchases using underage volunteers.

• Businesses caught selling to minors face fines, prosecution, and in some cases, loss of their license.

Bottom line? The age to buy vapes in the UK is 18. If you’re 16, it’s not legal—no matter where or how you try to buy them.

Why Can’t Teens Vape at 16 in the UK?

So why is the age limit set at 18? The answer lies in growing evidence about nicotine’s effects on the developing brain, as well as the UK government’s commitment to reducing youth addiction.

According to the NHS, while vaping may be safer than smoking for adults trying to quit cigarettes, it is not risk-free—especially for teenagers. In addition, public health experts worry that early exposure to vaping can normalize nicotine use and become a gateway to smoking traditional cigarettes. That’s why the UK has drawn a firm line at 18.

What Are the Consequences of Underage Vaping in the UK?

The law doesn’t just discourage underage vaping—it actively enforces consequences for breaking it.

For young people under 18:

• It’s illegal to buy vapes, even if the device doesn’t contain nicotine.

• It’s also illegal to ask an adult to purchase a vape on their behalf. This practice, called proxy purchasing, is explicitly banned.

For retailers:

• Selling vapes to minors can result in fines up to £2,500, and repeated offences can lead to license revocation or legal action.

• Enforcement officers have targeted online sellers too, many of whom are caught failing to perform age verification properly.

Vaping Trends Among UK Teenagers

Despite the restrictions, youth vaping in the UK has been on the rise. According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), almost 20% of 11–17-year-olds have tried vaping at least once, and that number continues to grow each year.

This surge has triggered debate in Parliament and among health campaigners. As a result, new proposals are under review in 2025, including:

• A ban on disposable vapes due to their appeal among teens and environmental harm.

• A flavor ban, especially for sweet or fruity options, has already been proposed in Scotland.

• Tighter advertising controls and packaging rules are needed to make products less attractive to younger consumers.

The UK government has made it clear: while vaping is a tool to help adults quit smoking, it must not become a trend among teenagers.

FAQs: Common Questions About UK Vape Laws and Teens

Can you vape at school if you’re over 16?
No. Whether you’re 16 or 18, school policies usually treat vaping like smoking: strictly off-limits on school grounds.

Can parents buy vapes for teens?
No, that’s illegal. Even if a parent thinks it’s safer, buying a vape for someone under 18 is classed as proxy purchasing, which is against the law.

Are nicotine-free vapes legal for 16-year-olds?
Still no. Even without nicotine, vapes are treated the same under UK law. If you’re under 18, you can’t buy them—or use them.

What about disposable vapes and teens?
Also off-limits. As of June 2025, selling disposable vapes is banned entirely in the UK. This reflects the government’s push for stricter vape regulations, in line with the TPD vape standards that ensure products meet safety, quality, and labeling requirements. Choosing a TPD-compliant vape isn’t just about legality—it’s about consumer protection and responsible use.

Conclusion

Can you vape at 16 in the UK? The answer is simple: No. You must be 18 or older—no exceptions, even for nicotine-free products.

The UK is tightening its rules to protect young people, and more changes may be on the way. For teenagers, the best choice is to stay away from nicotine. And for retailers, the message is clear: know the law, check ID, and don’t put profit before responsibility.