E-Cigarettes (‘vapes’), the law and you

What is a ‘Vape’?

An ‘e-cigarette’ or to give its full title, ‘electronic cigarette’, is just that. An electronic device which mimics a cigarette but without the element of tobacco. However they do still (usually) contain nicotine. Originally developed as a smoking cessation tool, tasting of tobacco and comprising of a permanent kit with which refills were used, recent years have seen the popularity of disposable e-cigarettes. With this development came also new flavours moving away from the traditional tobacco, to fruit and recognisable soft drinks. At the same time the packaging moved to very bright colours and eye catching designs.

Who is responsible?

The overseeing body for e-Cigarettes is the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), who maintains a register of products that have been notified to them and which are therefore permitted to be sold within the UK. There are limits as to the volume of nicotine that can be contained within these products which are laid down in the Tobacco & Related Product Regulations. The capacity of tanks, pods and disposable devices containing nicotine liquid must not exceed 2ml. 

Within the sector, there is an increasing amount of ‘grey and black-market imports’ being identified on sale within the UK. Some are only meant for the American market and contain a far higher level of e-liquid (& therefore more ‘puffs’), as well as counterfeit versions of permitted products. Other concerns lie around the alleged sales of such products to minors – the legal age for purchasing e-cigarettes is 18.  

Following such concerns, Carmarthenshire Trading Standards carry out regular surveys and act on intelligence regarding sellers of e-cigarettes. Advice and guidance is always provided in the first instance but further action can be taken if breaches are subsequently found.