No one under the age of 18, or who does not already smoke combustible cigarettes, should buy or start using an e-cigarette or vape device.
In the UK, it is illegal to sell vaping products to minors or to purchase them on behalf of an underage person.
E-cigarettes are intended to be a cessation tool for adult smokers who are looking to switch away from combustible tobacco. Despite this, there are concerns about youth access and this is something the industry, led by the UKVIA, is actively working to address.
The latest figures from Action on Smoking and Health UK show underage experimentation with vaping has increased, there has been no significant change in current vaping (regular or occasional use) between 2022 and 2023.
ASH UK also confirmed e-cigarette use remains ‘largely confined’ to current or former smokers, with just 0.8% of 11-17-year-old never smokers vaping more than once a week.
The UKVIA and its membership have called for increased enforcement from Trading Standards and greater punishments for those caught selling to minors to deter underage vape access.
