Starting a Vape Online Store in the UK: A Detailed Guide

As see rapid growth in the UK vaping market, this allows those who are interested in the vape business. However, starting an online vape store in the UK is not an easy task. It requires careful navigation of legal regulations, market trends, and consumer preferences.

This blog will help you understand how to start a vape online store in the UK. By covering all legal requirements, business planning, product sourcing, online store setup, and marketing strategies. With special focus on recent regulatory changes, such as the disposable vape ban, as well as the use of its alternatives.

UK Vape Market and Regulations 2025

AS all vape businesses in the UK know about the disposable vapes ban from June 1, 2025, both online and offline. This ban applies to all types of disposable vapes, even its with or without nicotine. 

Not only retailers follow the ban, but manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and health care services also obey the rule. So you must clear your existing stock before the deadline, otherwise face penalties, including fines.

Only reusable vapes that meet specific criteria can be sold after the ban:

• Must be refillable or have replaceable pods/cartridges

• Must have a rechargeable battery and replaceable coils or pods

The purpose of this law is to reduce environmental waste, as 5 million disposable vapes are discarded weekly. This causes a significant increase in pollution. So many resources are used to clean it, which is not financially beneficial.

Additionally, from October 1, 2026, a new vaping duty will be introduced like charge £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid. As well as an increase in tobacco duties for smokers, so they switch to vaping.

Steps to Start a Vape Online Store in the UK

1. Research and Understand Legal Compliance

Before starting an online store, you must know all  UK laws and regulations about vaping products. This also includes the Tobacco and Vaping Products Regulations, the disposable vape ban, advertising restrictions, and tax rules for vaping. But if you do not follow the above legal compliance, then be ready for penalties.

2. Create a Comprehensive Business Plan

You must have a strong plan, which should define your target market, product range, pricing strategy, and financial strength. Consider how the disposable vape ban will affect product selection and customer preferences. Always choose reusable vape devices and e-liquid stocks that will be a great fit with the new regulations.

3. Source Quality Products and Reliable Suppliers

Wisely choosing your vape wholesale suppliers is important. Always focus on in-demand products. That meets UK safety standards and the new legal requirements for reusable devices.

As well as work with trusted manufacturers or suppliers who sell legal vape kits, e-liquids, and accessories. And at the same time, he kept delivering supplies on time.

4. Set Up Your Online Vape Store

• You need an online e-commerce platform to start your vape business, like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento. 

• Also, creating a Website is a good option, with excellent Design and User Experience, with a clear navigation bar.

• Legal Disclaimers and Age Verification: Implement robust age verification systems to comply with UK laws restricting sales to under-18s. Include clear terms and conditions and privacy policies.

5. Marketing Your Online Vape Shop

Now it's time to prepare a marketing strategy that completely follows advertising restrictions on vaping products. Focus on SEO optimization using keywords like "start vape online store UK," "vape business UK," and "online vape shop setup" to improve organic search visibility. Content marketing, email campaigns, and social media are good sources of promoting your online store. 

Legal Requirements for Starting a Vape Online Store in the UK

Starting an online vape store in the UK has many legal requirements to protect consumers, particularly underage children. Also, to ensure product safety and follow the rules. Below, I share some legal points you must meet:

1. Age Verification

It is illegal in uk to sell vaping products to anyone under 18 years old. As an online retailer, you must apply robust age verification systems to verify the age before every single purchase. You can use two methods for this purpose:

•  One is electronic age verification services,

•  the second is requiring proof of age upon delivery.

 But if you don't follow these methods, you must face fines and penalties. 

2. Product Compliance with Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR)

If you want to run a vape store in uk, you'd better know about the UK’s Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR). Which sets many safety and quality standards. When you are selling a product must follow TRPR guidelines. These regulations include:

• Nicotine e-liquids can only be sold in small bottles. The quantity must not be more than 10ml.

• The strongest nicotine level allowed is 20mg per ml.

• E-cigarettes should not exceed 2ml in capacity.

• Packaging must include specific health warnings.

• Products must be tamper-evident to ensure consumer safety.

3. Product Registration with MHRA

Vape products with nicotine must be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. For this purpose, you’ll need to submit:

•  Detailed product information

•  Ingredients

•  Emissions data

• Quality packaging 

• Testing certificates.

This procedure takes up to six months for confirmation. Only registered products can be legally sold in the UK.

4. Licensing and Premises Registration

While online stores do not require any kind of permission or license.  But you must register your business with the local authority where your head office is located. 

The UK government is planning to introduce a retail license for vape sellers, including online stores. This may mean you’ll need to apply for a license and choose someone to make sure your business follows the rules."

5. Advertising and Marketing Restrictions

UK law has many restrictions regarding how vaping is advertised. You must be careful in marketing that targets minors or makes unhealthy claims. Advertising must follow the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations and the UK Advertising Codes.

6. Safe and Secure Packaging

All vaping products must be sold in fine-quality packaging to ensure product and consumer safety. This is also a legal requirement to prevent the product from being damaged after manufacture.

By meeting these legal requirements, like age verification, product registration, compliance with TRPR, following the disposable vape ban, licensing, and packaging rules, you can successfully run your vape online store legally and responsibly in the UK.

Top Alternatives to Disposable Vapes in the UK

The UK’s disposable vape ban opens the doors for many other products. Like, vapers are turning to more sustainable and compliant products. The most famous replacement options are refillable vape kits, prefilled pod systems, and rechargeable vape mods. 

Refillable vape kits have the facility to customize flavors according to own taste. As well as you can also control the use of the nicotine quantity. while reducing electronic waste since only the e-liquid needs replacing, not the entire device.

A prefilled pod is the combination of convenience and compliance. It consists of rechargeable devices with replaceable pods. Brands such as Lost Mary and SKE Crystal now offer reusable popular disposables. These alternatives of disposable provide cost-effective, eco-friendly solutions that align with UK regulations. It helps users move smoothly from disposable vapes.

Vape Market Trends in the UK for 2025

The UK vape market trend is going up day by day.  With experts saying it could grow by about $1.47 billion between 2024 and 2029, increasing at a rate of 13.6% each year. The reason is that companies are introducing so many new products. For example,

• Reusable vape kits,

• Devices you can customize,

• New techniques like Bluetooth and touchscreens 

• A lot of new flavors..

You’ll also see more unique vape brands and specialty shops showing all kinds of e-liquid flavors to try. Even though many rules and regulations make things difficult, the UK vape market is expected to keep growing. Vaping might become more popular than smoking in 2025.

Impact of the Disposable Vape Ban on Your Business

The disposable vape ban has a large impact on the vape industry. The June 1, 2025 ban shifts towards different products that are reusable. Since disposables will no longer be legal to sell, focus on promoting reusable vape kits and refillable pod systems that comply with regulations. 

Always stay informed about new legislative changes, such as the upcoming vaping tax and advertising restrictions, to adapt your business according to new rules.

Conclusion

Starting an online vape store in the UK in 2025 is a good idea in a growing market. However, careful planning is required for your online vape shop, which strictly follows regulations like the June 2025 disposable vape ban and the upcoming vaping duty. 

By delivering reusable vape kits and prefilled pod systems, you can meet customer demand for desired products. To run a successful vape online store, you need an authentic business plan, reliable suppliers, and a user-friendly e-commerce platform.

To get more traffic, you need Effective marketing, using SEO, and excellent content strategies. Don't forget about advertising restrictions on vaping. By staying informed about market trends and regulatory changes, you can provide eco-friendly solutions.