The short answer is 18. It is illegal for retailers to sell vapes or nicotine e liquids to anyone under 18 in the UK. It is also illegal for an adult to buy a vape or e liquid for someone under 18. These age-of-sale and proxy purchasing rules apply across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
What the law covers
The rules apply to nicotine inhaling products and to components intended for use with nicotine. That means bottles of nicotine e liquid, prefilled pods, refillable tanks, disposable style devices where still lawful to sell at the time of reading, and the hardware that is designed to deliver nicotine. Many retailers extend the same age gate to nicotine-free shortfills and flavour concentrates to keep policies simple and to prevent under-18 access.
In-store age checks
Shops are expected to operate a “think 21” or “think 25” style policy. Staff should ask for valid photo ID if a customer looks under the threshold, then record refusals where possible. Acceptable ID usually includes a passport, driving licence, or a proof-of-age card with a PASS hologram. Retailers should train staff, display age-of-sale signage near the till, and keep a refusals log as part of due diligence.
Online age verification
Selling online does not remove the duty to check age. Responsible retailers use third-party age-verification services at checkout, match data against credit reference files where permitted, or request a one-time document check. Couriers may also ask for an adult signature upon delivery. If the buyer cannot prove they are 18 or over, the order should not be completed.
Buying for someone under 18
Buying a vape for a person under 18 is proxy purchasing and is an offence. Staff who suspect a proxy purchase should refuse the sale. Common red flags include an adult taking instructions from a teenager nearby or a young person loitering outside and handing over cash.
School and college settings
Even where possession is not a specific criminal offence for a young person, schools and colleges almost always prohibit vaping on site. Pupils who bring vapes to school can expect confiscation and disciplinary action under local policies.
How the rules interact with product standards
Age-of-sale rules sit alongside product standards like the TPD requirements on bottle size, nicotine strength, tank capacity, testing and labelling. Age checks make sure the right customer gets the product, product standards make sure the product is safe and correctly labelled. Together they form the core of UK vaping compliance.
Penalties for breaking the rules
Local trading standards can issue warnings, fixed penalties or bring prosecutions. Retailers who repeatedly breach the law risk larger fines, licence issues where applicable, and being targeted for ongoing test purchases. Strong training, clear signage and a written policy are the best defence.
Advice for parents and carers
If a young person is asking about vapes, explain that UK law sets the minimum age at 18 for a reason. Vaping is intended for adult smokers switching away from cigarettes. Keep products out of reach at home, do not buy vapes for under-18s, and speak to school or college leaders if you have concerns about on-site use.
For adult vapers looking for value
If you are 18 or over and want bigger bottles that stretch your budget, browse our full 100ml vape juice collection where you will find a wide range of flavours suited to everyday use.
Learn more about the rules
For a deeper look at age of sale, TPD requirements, tax changes and MSDS basics, visit our Vape Regulations and Law hub which brings all of our compliance guides together in one place.
Final thoughts
The legal age to buy or be sold a vape in the UK is 18. The law also bans proxy purchasing, expects robust in-store and online age checks, and sits alongside product standards that keep bottles, devices and labels compliant. Retailers need clear policies and training. Adults should buy responsibly. Under-18s should not vape.
If you want to know what happens when under-18s are found with devices, read what happens if you are caught vaping under 18 in the uk for likely outcomes. If you need a straight answer for young readers, share can you vape at 16.
For venue rules that often sit beside age checks, see is it illegal to vape indoors. For road-use guidance that staff can quote, add can you vape while driving to your policy sheet.