Let us start by being clear on the subject – vaping is intended only for adults looking to quit smoking who are aged 18 and over. So, if you are searching for answers to the important question ‘how old do you have to be to vape’, the rules are set in stone and should be followed.
Age restrictions have been put in place, not just in the UK but worldwide, to protect younger individuals from the potential side effects linked to addictive nicotine. This concern has only increased in recent years with the millions of disposable vapes sold.
To deter the sale of these devices to underage vapers, a disposable vape ban is in place from 1 June 2025, as well as the first vape tax in October 2026.
If you are caught selling vapes illegally to those under the legal age, you could face a fine as a minimum punishment.
These age limits are designed to prevent early exposure to nicotine, which can have lasting effects on brain development and increase the likelihood of addiction.
To explain for those who are 14, or 16 years old, or any illegal age hoping to purchase vaping products, which carry similar laws to cigarettes, this guide explains why this law is in place for vapes and all the important details surrounding a key piece of legislation.
Age restrictions on vaping products are not solely about preventing addiction. They also aim to prevent the potential health risks associated with vaping at a young age.
Why Can You Not Vape at 16?
Because of the addictive nature of cigarettes and the difficulty of six million smokers in the UK being able to successfully quit, a vape was created. Because you can not purchase a cigarette unless 18 or over, you can not vape at 16 for the same reason.
By setting age limits, governments aim to protect young individuals from these potential harms and ensure they have the opportunity to develop without the interference of addictive substances. This proactive approach is part of a broader public health strategy to reduce the burden of nicotine addiction and related health problems.
Vapes were originally created to help adult smokers quit. Cigarettes, which are not only addictive due to the nicotine and sugar content, are also very dangerous to public health. Decades of statistics highlighted the risk of smoking a combustible tobacco product for not just the smoker but also the dangers posed by passing smoke to others.
Vapes contain ingredients such as nicotine, which although the side effects are minor, still pose a risk to adolescent health. A child should not be able to purchase a vape because by law they should not be smoking either. Only once you are an adult above 18 can you make that choice.
And even then, the UK has recently announced new legislation (Tobacco and Vapes Bill) ensuring the permanent phase-out of cigarettes for future generations. A child turning 15 in 2024 or younger will never be able to legally purchase a cigarette.
Vaping Age Restrictions Worldwide
Whether you are travelling for a holiday, moving with family or simply curious about vaping restrictions worldwide, many leading countries have similar rules in place. This is to not just protect the youth of today but future generations to come. Below are a few key countries you may be planning to visit, which highlight how regulated the industry is:
- United Kingdom: The legal age to purchase and use vaping products is 18. This is positioned to match the age restrictions for other tobacco products, reflecting the UK's goal to reduce dependence on nicotine among the youth in society.
- Canada: Each province sets its own age limits, but the general legal age is 18 or 19. This flexibility allows each region to prioritise any health concerns locally and community needs.
- Australia: From July 1 2024, new vaping laws intended to protect the population by enforcing legislation that only allows the purchase of vape products from pharmacies with a prescription. This law was updated further from 1 October 2024. It was announced that only people aged 18 or over can buy vape products from pharmacies with a max concentration of 20mg/ml or less without a prescription, where state and territory laws allow.
- European Union: Most EU countries have set the legal age at 18, consistent with the Tobacco Products Directive which aims to protect young people from the health risks of tobacco and the more mild side effects of nicotine.
It's important to check local laws and regulations, as they can vary significantly. Staying informed about local requirements ensures compliance and helps avoid legal issues.
How Does Vaping Negatively Impact Youth Health?
While there are limited medical studies to date on the long-term impact of vaping among younger adults, the same can not be said of nicotine. As we have known the addictive nature of nicotine for decades, we can understand the risk nicotine poses to the youth of the UK, particularly those illegally vaping under the age of 18.
A recent research paper by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) highlighted that 3.7% of young people aged 11-18 vape regularly. There are concerns among various health and government professionals that this could be a gateway to smoking.
However, considering the number of young smokers previous to the creation of vapes and the fact cigarettes are still sold, both past and present sales of each nicotine product pose a risk to youth health.
Nicotine can negatively impact adolescent brain development, leading to cognitive and behavioural issues. These effects can have long-term consequences, affecting learning, memory, and emotional regulation.
By enforcing age restrictions, UK society can promote healthier lifestyle choices and discourage nicotine use. This approach not only benefits individuals but also contributes to the overall well-being of communities by reducing the prevalence of smoking-related diseases.
FAQs About Vaping Age Requirements
Understanding vaping age requirements can be confusing, especially with varying laws across regions. Here, we address some common questions to help clarify these regulations and their implications. Being informed about these issues is essential for both consumers and businesses involved in the vaping industry.
What is the Legal Age for Smoking?
Shops can not sell cigarette products to anyone under 18. Only an adult aged 18 or over can purchase a cigarette, whether that is in tobacco-dedicated shops or supermarkets.
Police can confiscate cigarettes from anyone under the age of 16 caught smoking. The purchase age increased from 16 to 18 occurred in 2007. This created a 25% decrease in the number of illicit cigarettes sold and reduced smoking rates among 16–17 year-olds by a whopping 30%.
Can You Vape at 16?
In most places around the world, the answer is no. Given the legal age is typically set at 18 or older, individuals under this age cannot legally purchase or use vaping products. Teens and parents need to be aware of these regulations to avoid legal issues.
What Happens if You're Caught Vaping Underage?
Penalties are clear for underage vaping in the UK. At the very least, the police have the power to confiscate the device if the person is found to be under the legal age to vape.
Education programmes to keep young people on the right track to educate them about the risks of vaping with workshops and classes may be applied. A fine or penalty is more unlikely for the individual minor caught vaping.
How Do Age Restrictions Affect Vaping Shops?
Vape shop owners must stick to strict age verification processes to comply with the law. This often involves checking government-issued identification before making a sale, enacting the ‘Challenge 25 Policy’.
Non-compliance can lead to severe consequences, including legal action and loss of business licenses. In addition, you could face a fine of up to £2,500, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Any retailer illegally selling to under 18s can also be reported to local authority Trading Standards.
These measures ensure that businesses play a role in preventing underage access to vaping products, aligning with public health objectives.
Conclusion
We hope the rules are clear now for anybody in the UK regarding vaping. Suggested as an alternative to smoking by the NHS, it is only intended for former adult smokers. To protect young people in the UK, who may be intrigued by the fruity flavours or colourful packaging, it is not permitted to buy or sell the product if the person is under 18 years of age.
Age verification should be carried out or the retailer faces the risk of a fine as a minimum punishment. So, whether you are a young person reading this guide with the query ‘can I vape at 16’, or any age under 18, it is not possible to vape. And whether a person has just turned 18, in their 40s or even 60s, it is never too late to quit smoking. Vaping is advised as a nicotine replacement option for cigarettes but is not encouraged if you have never smoked.