A recent Trading Standards report has shown that the UK vape market is being flooded with unsafe, disposable vapes. These brightly coloured devices are aimed at teenage customers, putting them at risk of potentially dangerous unregulated products. Selling vapes or vaping products to children is illegal in the UK and every device that is sold must be registered by the MHRA, the medicines and healthcare product regulator. At UK Vape Supply, we ONLY sell fully compliant registered vaping products from leading, trusted brands - but if you’re shopping elsewhere, how do you know you’re buying the real deal?

What are the UK vaping rules?

• Vapes or e-cigarettes can only be purchased by those aged 18 and over

• Ingredients such as caffeine and taurine are banned from vaping products

• All products must clearly display a nicotine ingredient warning

• Vaping product packaging should be child-proof

• All products containing nicotine must be certified by the MHRA 

What are fake vapes?

Although e-cigarettes do not contain the harmful tobacco found in traditional cigarettes, they do contain nicotine which is an addictive substance. Over the last decade, vaping has been promoted as an effective smoking cessation solution, with many people choosing to vape over methods such as nicotine replacement patches and gum. While vaping is not risk-free, it is incredibly important that steps are put in place to stop children from using them. 

Regulated vaping products in the UK are limited to how much nicotine or e-liquid is allowed, with health warnings clearly displayed on the packaging. Unregulated vaping products can look very similar to the legal brands, however, can contain unregulated amounts of nicotine and e-liquid. 

UK-regulated disposable vapes contain around 600 puffs, however, these unregulated devices can claim to offer around 10,000 puffs. Regulations also state that e-liquids and devices should not be designed to look like food or cosmetic products, with a strict nicotine strength limit of 20mg/ml.

While it might be tempting to snap up some cheaper vapes, you run the risk of causing yourself harm. Regulated vapes mean that the manufacturers must let governing bodies know exactly what is used in each one, by opting for a fake - you have no idea what you’re actually vaping. 

How to check for a fake vape

• All vaping products should include a serial number, so if you’re ever in doubt - you can contact the manufacturer to make sure you have a legit product. 

• Check the packaging for a best before date, an ingredients list and a clear nicotine warning. If these things are not visible on the packaging, avoid them. 

• Only purchase from reputable vaping stores that fully comply with industry standards.

• If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is! Most vaping sites are incredibly competitive with pricing, so if you spot somewhere offering the same device or e-liquid for a lot cheaper, it’s worth asking why. 

When you shop at UK Vape Supply, you’re shopping with one of the UK’s most trusted vaping brands. We only stock the best vaping products from leading disposable vape names such as Elf Bar and Geek Bar as well as trusted e-liquid manufacturers such as Kingston, Ultimate Puff and many more. Shop today for vaping products you can count on.