In the UK, you have to be 18 to buy electronic cigarettes and e-liquid. While we in the industry, and most vapers, will already be aware about the rules and regulations regarding vaping in the UK, it is still not necessarily common knowledge that there is a law in place regarding the age at which you can buy e-cigs and e-liquid.
How old to buy e-cigs in the UK?
The age restriction law on e-cigs and vaping in the UK came into force on the 1st of October 2015.
This made it illegal for anyone to sell vaping products to people under the age of 18. It also made it illegal for anyone over the age of 18 to buy vaping products for those who are underage.
Totally Wicked had an over 18’s policy from the moment we opened our doors. In fact a lot of reputable vape companies did. But 2015 was the year that this self imposed restriction became law.
In store purchases are covered as well as any online. This means that vaping companies who sold products online had to enforce extremely strict age verification processes. Vapers have to pass an age verification check and may also have to provide ID before their sales can go through.
How old to vape in the rest of the world?
Each country has its own set of rules and regulations regarding vaping. This includes any age restrictions.
For example, until very recently the USA had the same age restrictions as the UK. But at the end of 2019 they enforced a law that means you have to be 21 to buy vaping products in America. This was called the deeming rule and it defined vaping products as ‘tobacco’ products.
Around the rest of the world they normally use the standard ‘national legal age’ to set their restrictions. Most places this age is 18.
There are some exceptions. the Republic of Korea as an example, you have to be 19. In Belgium the age is 16!
You can watch our quick video at the top of the page or you can see our full YouTube channel here.
