Profile
United Kingdom Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
United Kingdom Background
Profile
United Kingdom Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2025.   Page updated: 2026-03-20

In the United Kingdom, e-cigarettes are allowed and regulated under national tobacco and nicotine product laws. However, recent legislation bans the supply, offer to supply, and possession for supply of disposable or single-use e-cigarettes. Health claims promoting e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids are permitted, provided they are evidence-based and compliant with relevant regulations. Advertising of these products is allowed but strictly regulated. E-cigarettes can be legally purchased online and are commonly available in general retail outlets. Currently, there are no excise taxes levied on e-cigarette products in the UK. The United Kingdom has a comprehensive regulatory framework around e-cigarettes. Based on that, product notifications are required before market entry, and child-resistant, tamper-proof containers are mandatory. Additionally, health warnings must appear on all packaging, and sales are restricted to individuals aged 18 years and above. E-liquids should not exceed a nicotine concentration of 20 mg/ml, and tank sizes are limited to 2 ml or less. While there are no restrictions on flavour range, the use of e-cigarettes in public places is regulated and subject to local policies.

In terms of prevalence, an estimated 4.5 million people were reported to be current vapers as of 2022. The adult current e-cigarette vaping prevalence was estimated to be 10.7% in 2024. In 2022, 7.9% of adult women and 9.5% of adult men were reported to be current e-cigarette users. Around 2.1 million adults were daily vapers as of 2020, and the adult daily vaping prevalence was estimated to be 5.2% in 2022. This was 3.5% among females and 6.4% among males. In 2020, 14.2% of adults in the UK stated that they had ever tried e-cigarettes.

Prevalence

Year Value Reference/Comment
2012 700,000 1A
2013 1.3 million 1A
2014 2.1 million 1A
2015 2.6 million 1A
2016 2.8 million 1A
2017 2.9 million 1A
2018 3.2 million 1A
2019 3.6 million 1A
2022 4.5 million 1B A
References:
  1. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). (2019). Use of e-cigarettes (vaporisers) among adults in Great Britain. 2019 (September), 1–15.
  2. Office for National Statistics. (2023). Adult smoking habits in the UK: 2022. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/adultsmokinghabitsingreatbritain/2022
Comments:
  1. Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) 2022.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2012 1.7% 2A
2013 2.7% 2A
2014 4.2% 2A
2015 5.4% 2A
2016 5.7% 2A
2017 6.2% 2B A
2017 5.8% 2A
2018 6.2% 2A
2019 7.1% 2C B
2019 7.1% 2A
2020 6.4% 2D
2020 6.3% 2C B
2021 7.7% 2E C
2021 7.1% 2C B
2022 8.7% 2F D
2022 8.3% 2C B
2023 9.6% 2G
2023 9.1% 2C B
2024 10.7% 2C B
2025 10.4% 2C B
References:
  1. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). (2019). Use of e-cigarettes (vaporisers) among adults in Great Britain. 2019 (September), 1–15.
  2. European Commission (2017). Special Eurobarometer 458: Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and electronic cigarettes Available at: http://data.europa.eu/euodp/en/data/dataset/S2146_87_1_458_ENG
  3. https://ash.org.uk/uploads/Use-of-Vapes-Among-Adults-in-Great-Britain-2025-Final_2026-02-25-162957_zubz.pdf?v=1772036997
  4. E-cigarette use in Great Britain, Office for National Statistics, 2021
  5. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-gbr.pdf?sfvrsn=ae538ce2_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
  6. Office for National Statistics. (2023). Adult smoking habits in the UK: 2022. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/adultsmokinghabitsingreatbritain/2022
  7. Opinions and Lifestyle Survey 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
  1. Eurobarometer data provides a representative sample of ~28,000 respondents and estimates the prevalence of vaping for the EU overall, as well as per country. The survey was conducted in March 2017. Covers 28 European Union (EU) countries. Total sample N = 27901, aged 15 and over. Survey includes an estimate for United Kingdom which is England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
  2. Cohort: adult.
  3. Adults survey: Annual Population Survey, 2021; National, ages 18+
  4. Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) 2022.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2020 5.6% 3A
2021 5.7% 3B A
2022 7.9% 3C B
2023 8.3% 3D
References:
  1. E-cigarette use in Great Britain, Office for National Statistics, 2021
  2. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-gbr.pdf?sfvrsn=ae538ce2_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
  3. Office for National Statistics. (2023). Adult smoking habits in the UK: 2022. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/adultsmokinghabitsingreatbritain/2022
  4. Opinions and Lifestyle Survey 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: Annual Population Survey, 2021; National, ages 18+
  2. Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) 2022.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2020 7.2% 3A
2021 9.7% 3B A
2022 9.5% 3C B
2023 11% 3D
References:
  1. E-cigarette use in Great Britain, Office for National Statistics, 2021
  2. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-gbr.pdf?sfvrsn=ae538ce2_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
  3. Office for National Statistics. (2023). Adult smoking habits in the UK: 2022. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/adultsmokinghabitsingreatbritain/2022
  4. Opinions and Lifestyle Survey 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: Annual Population Survey, 2021; National, ages 18+
  2. Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) 2022.
2.1 million
4
2020
Year Value Reference/Comment
2020 3.8% 1A
2021 4.9% 1B A
2022 5.2% 1C B
References:
  1. E-cigarette use in Great Britain, Office for National Statistics, 2021
  2. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-gbr.pdf?sfvrsn=ae538ce2_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
  3. Office for National Statistics. (2023). Adult smoking habits in the UK: 2022. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/adultsmokinghabitsingreatbritain/2022
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: Annual Population Survey, 2021; National, ages 18+
  2. Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) 2022.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2020 3% 5A
2021 3.5% 5B A
References:
  1. E-cigarette use in Great Britain, Office for National Statistics, 2021
  2. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-gbr.pdf?sfvrsn=ae538ce2_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: Annual Population Survey, 2021; National, ages 18+
Year Value Reference/Comment
2020 4.7% 5A
2021 6.4% 5B A
References:
  1. E-cigarette use in Great Britain, Office for National Statistics, 2021
  2. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-gbr.pdf?sfvrsn=ae538ce2_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: Annual Population Survey, 2021; National, ages 18+
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 18% 6A A
2020 14.2% 6B
References:
  1. European Commission (2017). Special Eurobarometer 458: Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and electronic cigarettes Available at: http://data.europa.eu/euodp/en/data/dataset/S2146_87_1_458_ENG
  2. E-cigarette use in Great Britain, Office for National Statistics, 2021
Comments:
  1. Eurobarometer data provides a representative sample of ~28,000 respondents and estimates the prevalence of vaping for the EU overall, as well as per country. The survey was conducted in March 2017. Covers 28 European Union (EU) countries. Total sample N = 27901, aged 15 and over. Survey includes an estimate for United Kingdom which is England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
References:
  1. Office for National Statistics. (2023). Adult smoking habits in the UK: 2022. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/adultsmokinghabitsingreatbritain/2022
  2. https://ash.org.uk/uploads/Use-of-Vapes-Among-Adults-in-Great-Britain-2025-Final_2026-02-25-162957_zubz.pdf?v=1772036997
  3. Opinions and Lifestyle Survey 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
  4. 1. E-cigarette use in Great Britain, Office for National Statistics, 2021 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  5. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-gbr.pdf?sfvrsn=ae538ce2_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
  6. E-cigarette use in Great Britain, Office for National Statistics, 2021
Comments:
  1. Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) 2022.
  2. Cohort: adult.
  3. Adults survey: Annual Population Survey, 2021; National, ages 18+

Product promotion

Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier No
2024 Yes 1A
References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier Yes A
2023 Yes 2A
References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction England. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/england/e-cigarettes?row=1228268. Accessed: 23 July 2025.
Comments:
  1. Allowed or banned at place of sale or allowed or banned in all media.
References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
  2. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction England. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/england/e-cigarettes?row=1228268. Accessed: 23 July 2025.

Regulation

Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier Allowed 1A
2024 Allowed 1B A
References:
  1. Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/
  2. 1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025. 2. UK Government. Single-use vapes banned from 1 June 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/single-use-vapes-banned-from-1-june-2025. Accessed: 24 July 2025.
Comments:
  1. The law bans the supply, offer to supply, and possession for supply of disposable or single-use e-cigarettes.
Yes
2
Allowed
2023
Yes
2
Yes
2
References:
  1. 1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025. 2. UK Government. Single-use vapes banned from 1 June 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/single-use-vapes-banned-from-1-june-2025. Accessed: 24 July 2025.
  2. Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/
Comments:
  1. The law bans the supply, offer to supply, and possession for supply of disposable or single-use e-cigarettes.

Availability

References:
  1. 1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025. 2. UK Government. Single-use vapes banned from 1 June 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/single-use-vapes-banned-from-1-june-2025. Accessed: 24 July 2025.
  2. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Comments:
  1. The law bans the supply, offer to supply, and possession for supply of disposable or single-use e-cigarettes.

Regulations and restrictions

Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier YES
2023 YES 1A
References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction England. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/england/e-cigarettes?row=1228268. Accessed: 23 July 2025.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier YES
2023 YES 1A
References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction England. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/england/e-cigarettes?row=1228268. Accessed: 23 July 2025.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier YES
2024 YES 2A A
References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Comments:
  1. Text health warnings are required.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier Yes: 18 years
2021 Yes: 18 years 3A
References:
  1. Global Tobacco Control. Country Laws Regulating E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes/countries?country=81. Accessed: 6 August 2025.
NO
2
2024
Equal or less than 20mg/ml
4
2024
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier NO
2025 YES
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier YES
2024 2 ml or less 1A
References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction England. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/england/e-cigarettes?row=1228268. Accessed: 23 July 2025.
References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction England. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/england/e-cigarettes?row=1228268. Accessed: 23 July 2025.
  2. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
  3. Global Tobacco Control. Country Laws Regulating E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes/countries?country=81. Accessed: 6 August 2025.
  4. 1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025. 2. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction England. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/england/e-cigarettes?row=1228268. Accessed: 23 July 2025.
Comments:
  1. Text health warnings are required.

Tax

0.00
1 A
2024
References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Comments:
  1. No excise taxes are levied on this product.

Publications

Sep
2025

Tobacco harm reduction and the FCTC: issues and challenges at COP11

From 17th – 22nd November 2025, COP11 is taking place in Geneva. This Briefing Paper explores the efficacy of the FCTC in reducing smoking, and considers the challenges posed by COP11 to consumer access to safer nicotine products and tobacco harm reduction progress.

Jun
2025

The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2024: A Situation Report

This Briefing Paper summarises The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2024: A Situation Report, which uses the latest evidence and new data projections to report on the current global THR situation and its potential to rapidly reduce the burden of disease and mortality associated with risky tobacco use.

Sep
2024

A smokefree UK? How research, policy and vapes have cut smoking rates

The number of people who vape in the United Kingdom is soon set to exceed the number who smoke for the first time. This Briefing Paper explores the United Kingdom’s progress towards becoming smokefree, highlighting both the successes and the challenges.

The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.