The Ultimate Guide to the UK’s Vape Culture

Around 10% of British adults vape. And, can you believe, that’s approximately 5.5 million people? What’s even more surprising is that even youngsters, aged from 11 to 17, have seen puffing disposables. Studies show that 7% of this young population are currently vaping regularly, even though it’s illegal for them. All these stats signal the popularity of vaping in the UK and how, within just a few decades, it has now become a lifestyle for many British people. Let’s explore more about the UK’s vape culture in this blog, including TPD’s age restrictions and advanced trends.

2010 was the year when vaping rose to popularity in cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool. Reason being that a large number of smokers and working professionals who were looking for alternatives to smoking resided here. In addition, with 4,000 bars in London, 345 bars in Manchester, and 200 pubs in Birmingham, these major cities were and remain the hubs of nightlife, where vaping quickly replaced smoking after the 2007 smoking ban in public areas. What’s interesting is how the UK’s approach to vaping has been far more balanced compared to other countries; instead of pushing it underground, regulations have helped shape it into a safer and more transparent industry.

Vape shops have turned into local hangouts where people share advice, swap flavour recommendations, and learn about new devices, i.e., trending Big Puffs, latest refillable devices, advanced sub-ohm kits, and more. Some shops even run tasting bars or host small events, letting vapers try out new liquids before purchasing a bottle.

The UK’s vaping is governed by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TPD). This means all e-liquids must be tested and approved before sale, nicotine strength can’t exceed 20mg, and tanks are limited to 2ml capacity. These measures help maintain the highest safety standards for vaping products. Each bottle of e-liquid has to be registered with the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), so buyers know exactly what’s in it. It’s one of the reasons UK vapers tend to trust homegrown or TPD-compliant brands over cheaper imports.

Popular in 2022, disposables changed the entire industry. These cheap single-use devices made vaping more accessible to under-18s (which was a huge concern). Often, because they cost little upfront, are easy to use, and are hard to resist when flavours look appealing. Here is what stats say about disposable vaping among young people:

• In 2022, among young people aged 11-17 in Great Britain, 52% of vapers used disposable vapes, a sharp jump from 7.7% in 2021.
• Around 69% of 11-17-year-old vapers used disposables in 2023.
• The proportion of 11-15-year-olds who vape regularly has doubled from 2% in 2018 to 4% in 2021. Overall, vaping among 11-17s rose from about 4% in 2020 to 7% in 2022.

Because of these trends, the UK Government announced a ban on disposable vapes, aiming to take effect from June 2025 in England and Wales (and at a similar time elsewhere).
Key points of the ban include:

• No more sales of single-use/disposable vaping devices.
• Restrictions on flavours and packaging that attract children under 19.
• Stricter enforcement of the age-of-sale laws. Shops caught selling to children face fines or sanctions.

Devices like the Hayati Pro Ultra+ S, Pyne Pod 50K, and Crystal Pro Max have shifted the trend from single-use disposables to rechargeable kits that last days rather than hours. The best part? They offer thousands of puffs!
These devices deliver the same disposable-like experience with TPD-compliant features. Meaning that, they have 2ml pods, replaceable pod features, and rechargeable batteries. All of this extends their lifespan from 1 to 2 days to a few weeks, which slides them out of the “banned” criteria. But the question is, if they feature a 2ml pod, how come a user can enjoy thousands of puffs? Well, if you look at the Hayati Pro Max Plus or the Ultra S+, you’ll notice a 10ml tank automatically feeding the 2ml pod. The container keeps filling the pod, so you don’t run out of e-liquid when the prefilled 2ml e-juice runs out. This unique mechanism is how they produce thousands of puffs.

Ask any UK vaper about their favourite flavour, and you’ll get a completely different answer every time. Some like fruity blends like Blue Razz Lemonade or Strawberry Kiwi. However, others want classic Tobacco or Menthol. Dessert-inspired flavours, such as Vanilla Custard and Banoffee Pie, are also popular.

Walk into a street or a bar, and you’ll see people puffing tiny vapes just the same way they had smoked cigarettes instead. You’ll notice most Britishers taking puffs into their mouth first and then drawing them into their lungs. That’s an MTL style that mimics smoking. So, it won’t be wrong to say that people here are more fond of the mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping style. Studies also testify to this fact.
About 30% of vapers were using “disposables” in 2024, as those were also meant to replace traditional cigs. And the 53% were using refillable devices, preferably with nic salts (again, ideally used for MTL vaping).
Sub-ohm vaping, known as direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping, is also there but mostly popular among hobbyists.

Compared to how the US and Australia handle vaping, the UK’s approach feels far more balanced. Public Health England (now the UK Health Security Agency) has repeatedly stated that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking, and this approach has shaped national policy.
Because of that, the vaping market here is safer, more transparent, and more accessible. Vapers can easily find MHRA-approved products and clear labelling that shows nicotine strength and ingredients; something not always guaranteed elsewhere.

The UK’s vape culture is shaped by hobbyists, TPD regulations, and advanced devices. Starting from simple e-cigs, the trend has now shifted to more advanced kits with numerous flavour options. The UK vaping trend still continues to evolve. Devices are becoming more efficient, flavours more refined, and regulations tighter; all while maintaining accessibility for adults who need a right alternative to smoking.