The UK vape market is increasingly centred on reusable products, including pre-filled pod kits and hardware refillable pod kits. Retailers and adult consumers need to understand how the latest rules affect these products.
Single-use vapes are prohibited
The sale and supply of single-use vapes has been prohibited in the UK since 1 June 2025. The ban applies to products containing nicotine and those without nicotine, including online sales.
A legal reusable pod system must be rechargeable and refillable. Reusability can involve:
- Adding e-liquid to a refillable pod
- Inserting a separately available pre-filled pod
- Replacing a pod or cartridge that is designed to be separately sold
The shift towards pod systems
Reusable pod kits provide a practical alternative to single-use products. Pre-filled pod kits focus on convenience, while refillable hardware kits provide more flexibility over e-liquid choice.
For retailers, this means product descriptions should clearly state:
- Whether the pod is pre-filled
- Whether the pod can be refilled
- Whether the battery is rechargeable
- Which replacement pods are compatible
- Whether pods are sold separately
Vaping Products Duty
HMRC has announced a Vaping Products Duty that is due to apply from 1 October 2026. The announced rate is £2.20 per 10 ml of vaping liquid.
Businesses should check whether their activities involve manufacturing, importing, storing, supplying or selling products affected by the duty. Product duty stamps and further requirements are also part of the planned system.
Age-of-sale developments
From 29 October 2026, the age of sale for vaping and nicotine products will be 18, alongside further restrictions affecting the supply and promotion of these products.
Online pod retailers should review:
- Age-verification procedures
- Checkout controls
- Delivery-driver checks
- Customer-service processes
- Staff training
- Records of refused sales
Product compliance
Pre-filled pods, refillable pods and pod hardware should be sourced from reputable suppliers and checked for compliance.
Retailers should confirm:
- Nicotine strength does not exceed 20 mg/ml
- Nicotine-containing refill bottles do not exceed 10 ml
- Pods or cartridges meet the applicable 2 ml limit
- Product packaging is complete
- Required warnings are present
- Applicable products have been notified to the MHRA
The MHRA provides retailer guidance covering these requirements.
Recycling responsibilities
Retailers selling pod devices and related electrical products must provide customers with a route to return used vapes and vape parts for recycling.
This includes:
- Rechargeable pod batteries
- Used pre-filled pods
- Empty refillable pods
- Damaged or unwanted devices
- Charging components where applicable
Do not send used devices to general waste or ordinary household recycling.
Marketing and online content
Your own website can publish factual information about products, but advertising and promotional communication must be handled carefully. The ASA says factual, non-promotional product information may be allowed on a marketer’s own website, while online advertising and algorithmically shared social-media content can create serious compliance problems.
Avoid:
- Claims that vaping is harmless
- Claims that a pod kit cures addiction
- Child-oriented imagery
- Unsubstantiated health claims
- Influencer promotion
- Paid social advertising for nicotine products
- Language aimed at non-smokers
Retailer action list
Retailers should:
- Remove all single-use products
- Check whether pod devices are genuinely reusable
- Confirm compatible replacement pods are available
- Check MHRA notification information with suppliers
- Review nicotine strengths and capacities
- Prepare for Vaping Products Duty
- Maintain age-verification controls
- Provide vape recycling
- Audit website and social-media content