Unraveling the Vaping Laws in Wales: What You Need to Know

Wales, a land renowned for its breathtaking coastlines, rugged mountains, and vibrant cultural heritage, is also a nation actively shaping its public health future. In recent years, this has prominently included a dynamic and evolving approach to regulating vaping. As e-cigarettes and similar devices have grown in popularity, the Welsh Government, in concert with UK-wide initiatives, has been implementing a series of measures designed to balance support for adult smokers seeking alternatives with a firm commitment to protecting young people and the environment. For anyone involved with vaping in Wales – whether as a consumer, retailer, or simply an interested observer – understanding the current and upcoming laws is essential.

This guide delves into the specifics of Welsh vaping legislation, from the new ban on single-use vapes to age restrictions, public use prohibitions, and the wider impact of the UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024, offering clarity on navigating this changing landscape.

Single-Use (Disposable) Vapes Ban in 2025

One of the most impactful recent developments is the ban on the supply and sale of single-use (disposable) vape products in Wales, which became effective on June 1, 2025. The ban is comprehensive, making it a criminal offense to supply, offer to supply, or possess for supply these products, irrespective of whether they contain nicotine or are nicotine-free. This aligns Wales with similar bans being implemented across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, ensuring a consistent UK-wide approach.

While the ban targets the sale and supply by businesses, it’s important for consumers to note that personal possession or use of disposable vapes purchased before the ban became effective is not criminalized for individuals. However, retailers were strongly encouraged to clear their stock and must now focus on reusable and refillable alternatives. Businesses are also urged to organize safe disposal methods for any remaining single-use vapes and to educate staff and customers about the new law.

Age Restrictions and Sales Enforcement

A cornerstone of vaping regulation in Wales, and across the UK, is the strict prohibition on selling vaping products to minors. It is illegal to sell any nicotine-containing vaping device or e-liquid to anyone under the age of 18. This also extends to adults purchasing these products on behalf of under-18s (proxy purchasing), which is also an offense.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024

The UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024, which the Welsh Government is supporting, proposes even more significant long-term age restrictions. If enacted as planned, this bill will introduce a “generational ban” by prohibiting the sale of tobacco products (which, under current Welsh and UK definitions, often includes vaping products) to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. This means the legal age to purchase these products will effectively rise by one year, every year, until it is eventually illegal for anyone to buy them, aiming to create a “smoke-free generation.“

Penalties for Underage Sales

Local authorities and Trading Standards Wales are responsible for enforcing age restriction laws. To bolster these efforts, new powers allow for quicker and simpler on-the-spot fines (Fixed Penalty Notices) of £100 for shops caught selling tobacco or vaping products to underage individuals. Local authorities are permitted to retain 100% of these fine proceeds, which can be reinvested into further enforcement activities. For more serious or repeated offenses, businesses can face much larger fines (up to £2,500 cited in some contexts) and potential criminal prosecution.

Product Safety, Packaging, and Advertising Standards

Vaping products sold in Wales must adhere to stringent safety and quality standards, largely derived from the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) 2016, which implemented the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) into UK law.

Key TRPR Product Requirements:

Nicotine Strength Limit: E-liquids cannot exceed a maximum nicotine concentration of 20mg/mL (2%).
E-Liquid Bottle Size: Nicotine-containing e-liquid refill containers are restricted to a maximum volume of 10mL.
Tank Capacity: E-cigarette tanks or pods must not have a capacity exceeding 2mL.
Packaging: All e-liquids and devices must be sold in child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging.
Labeling: Packaging must include specific health warnings, ingredient lists, nicotine content, and manufacturer/importer details.
Prohibited Ingredients: Certain additives like caffeine, taurine, and specific vitamins or colorings are banned from e-liquids.
MHRA Notification: All new e-cigarette and e-liquid products must be notified to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) before they can be legally marketed in the UK (including Wales). Retailers should only stock MHRA-notified products, which can be checked on the GOV.UK website.

Advertising and Marketing Restrictions

The advertising and marketing of vaping products are heavily regulated to prevent them from appealing to non-smokers, especially children and young adults. This includes:

Bans on advertising in many media forms, including television, radio, and certain print publications.
Restrictions on online advertising and social media promotion.
Prohibitions on promotional strategies that glamorize vaping, make unsubstantiated health claims, or use designs and imagery that mimic confectionery or other youth-appealing products.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 also proposes to give Welsh Ministers powers to further restrict vape flavors, point-of-sale displays, and packaging designs to reduce their attractiveness to minors.

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Public Vaping Restrictions in Wales

Wales has progressively strengthened its laws regarding where smoking and vaping are permitted, aiming to protect the public from secondhand exposure and denormalize these behaviors.

The Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 and subsequent amendments, particularly the Smoke-free Premises and Vehicles (Wales) Regulations 2020, have expanded smoke-free (and often vape-free) environments. As of March 1, 2021, these regulations prohibit smoking (and by extension, often vaping, though specific local signage should always be checked) in areas such as:

Hospital grounds
School grounds
Public playgrounds
Outdoor daycare centers and child-minding settings

The broader TRPR and existing clean air legislation also mean vaping is generally prohibited in enclosed public spaces and workplaces, including restaurants, bars, shops, cinemas, and public transport. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 includes powers for Welsh Ministers to further expand these smoke-free restrictions to explicitly include vaping and heated tobacco products in a wider range of public areas.

Retailer Responsibilities and Future Licensing

Beyond adhering to product standards and age restrictions, vape retailers in Wales face ongoing responsibilities and upcoming changes:

Waste Disposal: With the ban on disposables, retailers are encouraged to provide or signpost to proper disposal and recycling options for vaping devices, which are classified as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).
Retail Licensing Scheme: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 proposes the introduction of a retail licensing scheme for businesses selling tobacco, vaping products, or other nicotine items in Wales. This will likely involve registration, adherence to specific operational standards, and potential fees, aiming to enhance regulatory oversight and compliance.
Prohibition of Free Distribution and Vending Machines: The distribution of free vapes for promotional purposes and the sale of vapes through vending machines are prohibited to prevent underage access.

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Comprehensive Overview of Vaping Laws in Wales

The table below summarizes the key aspects of vaping laws in Wales, highlighting their main regulations, target areas, and effective dates or ongoing status.

Aspect	Details
Single-Use Vapes Ban	Effective 1 June 2025, criminal offense to supply or offer single-use vapes, whether nicotine or non-nicotine. Reusable vapes remain legal.
Age Restriction	Sales prohibited to those under 18. The UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024, if passed, will ban sales to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
Prohibited Actions	No free distribution of vapes for promotion, no vape vending machines, and no advertising targeted at children.
Retail Licensing Scheme	Planned licensing for retailers selling tobacco, vaping products, or other nicotine products to ensure compliance.
Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Areas	Hospital grounds, school grounds, and public playgrounds are smoke-free (since 2021). Potential expansion to vape-free zones under the 2024 Bill.
Regulatory Powers	Welsh Ministers can restrict vape flavours, packaging, and point-of-sale displays to reduce appeal to youth.
Oral Tobacco	Banned in Wales, aligning with broader nicotine control measures.

Conclusion

The vaping landscape in Wales is entering a new, more tightly regulated chapter. The ban on disposable vapes from June 2025 is a pivotal moment, fundamentally altering the market and consumer choices. Combined with stringent age verification, expanding public use restrictions, robust product safety standards under TRPR, and the anticipated new powers under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill (including potential flavor restrictions and a retailer licensing scheme), Wales is clearly signaling its intent to curb youth vaping and mitigate environmental harms.

For retailers, this means a period of significant adaptation, focusing on compliant reusable products, rigorous staff training, and staying ahead of legislative changes. For consumers, it means understanding the new rules, particularly regarding disposables, and being aware of where vaping is and isn’t permitted. While vaping is recognized as a harm reduction tool for adult smokers, the overarching policy direction in Wales is firmly set on preventing a new generation from becoming addicted to nicotine and ensuring a healthier, more sustainable environment for all.

FAQs

What is the minimal age to buy e-cigarettes and vaping products in Wales?

The legal age to buy e-cigarettes and vaping products in Wales is 18 years old.

Can I vape in bars and restaurants in Wales?

No, the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed public spaces, such as bars and restaurants, is prohibited under the Welsh Public Health Act.

Are reusable vapes still legal in Wales?

Yes, reusable and refillable vaping devices remain legal for sale and use in Wales, provided they comply with existing product regulations.

What are the penalties for businesses caught selling illegal vapes?

Businesses found in breach of vaping laws, such as selling disposable vapes after the ban or selling to underage individuals, can face significant fines (up to £2,500) and potentially criminal penalties for repeat offenses. Local authorities can also issue on-the-spot fines for underage sales.

Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.

Unraveling the Vaping Laws in Wales: What You Need to Know

Single-Use (Disposable) Vapes Ban in 2025