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QuitVaping.co.uk is a free, independent UK website and programme that helps people stop vaping at their own pace, without going back to cigarettes. For interviews, comment or data, email hello@quitvaping.co.uk.

The story this month: all vapes are 18+ from 29 October

From Thursday 29 October 2026, it becomes illegal anywhere in the UK to sell any vape, including nicotine-free vapes, or any nicotine product such as nicotine pouches, to anyone under 18. Until now, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland the law only covered vapes containing nicotine. Adults who buy these products for under-18s will also be breaking the law. It comes four weeks after the new Vaping Products Duty added up to £2.64 to every 10ml of vape liquid.

Background for parents: vape age law and how to help your teenager stop vaping.

Key facts

29 October 2026: all vapes and nicotine products are 18+ across the UK. Shops caught selling to under-18s can get a £200 fixed penalty in England, Wales and Scotland, as well as being prosecuted. Free samples and big promotional discounts are banned.
1 October 2026: the Vaping Products Duty is £2.20 per 10ml of vape liquid, with or without nicotine. With VAT it can add £2.64 per 10ml, 53p to a 2ml pod and £26.40 to a 100ml shortfill.
1 April 2027: every vaping product sold must carry a duty stamp.
1 June 2027: advertising and sponsorship of vapes and nicotine products are banned.
5.5 million adults in Great Britain vape, and about 2 million of them have tried to stop (ASH, 2026).
Of adults who tried to stop vaping, about 1 in 5 used cigarettes to get off the vape (ASH, 2026). Smoking is far more harmful than vaping, which is why we help people stop vaping without going back to cigarettes.

Quotes

You're welcome to use these, attributed to QuitVaping.co.uk. For a named spokesperson or a quote on another angle, email us.

"Closing the nicotine-free loophole matters. Shops have been able to sell flavoured vapes to children simply because they contained no nicotine. From 29 October, every vape is 18+, and so is buying one for a child."

"If your teenager vapes, stay calm and keep talking. Shame pushes vaping out of sight. Your GP, school nurse and local Stop Smoking Service can help, and many now support young people who want to stop."

"For adults who used vaping to stop smoking, that was the big win. If you want to stop vaping too, take it at your own pace, and whatever you do, don't go back to cigarettes."

About QuitVaping

Free, UK-focused tools and guides, and a free quit-vaping programme launching in early 2027.
Health information is based on NHS, NICE, NCSCT, Cochrane, ASH and MHRA sources, and is checked by named clinicians before it's published.
Independent: we take no money from the vape, tobacco or nicotine-pouch industries, and we never advertise or link to vapes, e-liquids or nicotine pouches.

Free tools you can link to

Vape savings calculator: what vaping costs a week, a month and a year, including the new duty.
Nicotine strength converter: % labels to mg/ml, and how much nicotine is in a pod or a shortfill mix.
Vape tax 2026: the Vaping Products Duty explained.

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Please write the name as "QuitVaping" (one word, capital Q and V) and link to quitvaping.co.uk.

Contact

Email hello@quitvaping.co.uk with your deadline and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Sources

Updated 5 October 2026.