Trading Standards is responding to increased challenges with nicotine products, broadly and commonly known as vapes, both with underage sales and compliance of the vapes themselves.
Underage
Vapes cannot be sold to under 18s
Adults cannot buy vapes on behalf of under 18s (proxy purchasing)
Product requirements
Vapes must meet certain legal requirements, including:
The tank capacity (for nicotine-containing liquid) in a single use vape is no more than 2 ml. We believe this equates to up to 600 puffs.
A warning must also be prominent on the pack stating, ‘This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance’.
Full details are found in the links regarding legal requirements.
Vapes also need to be notified to the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Retailers
Legal requirements links
For more information about preventing underage (age restricted) sales, please see – tobacco and vapes guidance.
For more information about the legal requirements for vapes, please see – tobacco, vapes, packaging, labelling and advertising guidance and advice for retailers of e-cigarettes and nicotine containing e-liquids.(PDF publishing.service.gov.uk)
Report
If you suspect that someone is selling vapes to (or adults are purchasing on behalf of) children, and/or that the vapes are illicit, please email Trading Standards, with as much detail as possible or call 0808 223 1133 (via Citizens Advice Consumer service).
Household waste and recycling collections
Guidance to batteries, vapes and small electricals.