A look at the damage caused by illegal devices and how to spot them.
Legal vapes are governed in the UK by the TRPR. This ensures that they don’t contain any harmful additives or faults that may be dangerous to users. But a major concern is how to spot illegal vapes.
Disposables are a major focus at the moment, with the upcoming June 1st disposable ban. However much of the bad press about them is due to devices that aren’t in line with the law. Let’s take a look at some of these kits and discuss how to spot a potentially dangerous fake.
Current UK Laws
The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR) are the laws that govern everything vape related. There are strict rules that keep users safe and responsible retailers will follow these to the letter. Here’s a brief summary of what laws the TRPR enforces:
- Nicotine containing e-liquid bottles can’t be more than 10ml.
- E-liquid must be fitted with a child-safe cap.
- The maximum nicotine strength is 2% or 20mg/ml.
- All packaging must contain appropriate warnings.
- Tank sizes must not exceed 2ml, including pre-filled tanks.
- All liquids must be notified with the MHRA.
- The minimum age for buying anything vape related is 18, even if it doesn’t contain nicotine.
Most of these laws are in place across all of Europe, under the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) which the TRPR was modelled on.
Please note from June 1st 2025 the sale and manufacture of disposable devices will be illegal in the UK.
How to Spot Illegal Vapes!
Large Fixed Tank
Despite common belief not all rechargeable and pre-charged disposables are legal in the UK. For example kits such as the ELUX Legend 3500 puffs has a 10-12 ml prefilled tank thats fixed into the device making them non compliant.
Following the June 1st single use vape ban all disposables can no longer be manufactured or sold in the UK. However there are many impressive disposable alternatives available from some of the best selling brand such as Elf Bar, PIXL, and Lost Mary.
Please note consumers can still use any single use vapes they’ve stocked up on.
Fake Disposables
As with any piece of tech, there are going to be knock-offs floating around. Over the past 3 years more than 6 million illegal vape products were seized by Trading Standards officers across England.
To help vapers avoid using illegal devices many brands have added unique authenticity codes. Displayed in the image to the left, the QR codes can simply be scanned and should take you to the brands official site.
Packaging
All compliant packaging, by law, has to contain the necessary nicotine warnings (pictured). If your box doesn’t, then it’s definitely illegal. That doesn’t mean that it’s dangerous necessarily, but it’s not UK compliant.
As a side note, e-liquid bottles also have to display the tactile warning triangle on the product itself.
The Main Issues With Illegal Vapes
Now you’re up to speed with how to spot illegal vapes, let’s look at the impact that they have. Illicit devices have a huge impact on the UK vaping industry and have been reported to feature substances that are harmful for vapers. What’s worse is that they’re being sold by irresponsible retailers to underage vapers.
Aside from being sold to minors, there are still several reasons why they are a growing problem, let’s take a look.
Too much nicotine
Some illegal disposables contain nicotine levels exceeding the maximum 20mg, being as high as 50mg (5%). These levels have been deemed by researchers as not suitable for human consumption and roughly equate to the nicotine intake of smoking around 50 cigarettes.
Banned substances
Several studies have revealed illegal vapes can often contain harmful toxins. In January 2025, scientists at the University of derby tested a batch of 10 illegal products. The team found alarming levels of “dangerous metals” including cadmium, copper, nickel, and lead (BBC, 2025). Although toxicity varies amongst illicit vapes, the products have been found to cause cell death, inflammation, cell function changes, and DNA damage.
Faulty products
There have been several cases of vape fires caused by non compliant or faulty devices. The most common causes include overcharging, unsafe storage, unreputable charging accessories or devices, unresponsible disposal, or a potential malfunction.
If you experience any issues with a device be sure to stop using it for the foreseeable and contact the retailer to receive catered guidance.
Danger to the environment
This isn’t related specifically to illegal vapes, but disposables in general. If improperly discarded, single use vapes can leak heavy metals and plastics into the environment. This is a huge threat to ecosystems. Also, they’re a danger to landfill workers because if they’re simply thrown in the bin, they can cause landfill fires.
Disposables need to be taken to a WEEE recycle point. Recently, Totally Wicked teamed up with Veolia who responsibly recycle these devices. So, that means that you can take your used up kits to any Totally Wicked store or the TECC shop here in Accrington.
What needs to change
In order for illegal vapes to become less available there are several changes that the government need to put into place. Firstly, tougher checks need to be done at the border to stop the initial importation of these kits. Also, increased fines for selling devices, especially if caught selling to children.
From June 1st disposable vapes will be banned in the UK. Following this law we will then see further regulations implemented as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Where we could see changes to the smoking age, a ban on vape marketing, and tougher regulationa on flavours.
Disposable Alternatives
The temptation to buy illegal disposables is usually the difference in cost, with knock offs and bigger kits being much cheaper than the 600 puff compliant ones. But, there is a legal way to save whilst vaping disposable style devices!
Disposable Pre-filled Pod Kits
The biggest brands in disposables have released a range of pre-filled pod alternatives. These kits have a separate battery that you can keep and recharge. And the packs of pods are usually sold in 2s, which slashes the cost of your vaping in half! They’re also much better for the environment.
Here’s three devices from the most popular disposable names:
Lost Mary BM6000
| Battery | 1000mAh |
| Flavours | 20 |
| Price | £11.99 (3 for £23) |
SKE 600 Pro
| Battery | 400mAh |
| Flavours | 15 |
| Price | £5.99 |
IVG 2400
| Battery | 1750mAh |
| Flavours | 15 |
| Price | £12.99 |
Bar Salts
Bar salts are the most cost effective way to vape disposable-like liquids and mimic the same intense flavours and smooth experience. Each 10ml bottle has as much juice as 5 disposables, but costs less than one. At the Electronic Cigarette Company we offer a 4 for £9.99 multi buy deal on a range of best selling e-liquids.
Here are three brands that are incredibly popular:
ELFLIQ
| PG:VG | 50/50 |
| Flavours | 40 |
| Price | £2.99 |
Crystal Bar E-Liquid
| PG:VG | 50/50 |
| Flavours | 25 |
| Price | £2.99 |
VLTZ E-liquid
| PG:VG | 60/40 |
| Flavours | 30 |
| Price | £4.99 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Illegal Vapes
Let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions about illegal vapes!
What vapes are illegal in the UK?
In the UK there are several types of vapes that are illegal. For example, any vapes that exceed a 20mg nicotine strength, vape tanks larger than 2ml or refills large that 10ml, and any kits with packaging that don’t display the correct safety information.
From the 1st June 2025, all single use disposable devices will be banned in the UK. This includes device such as the Elf Bar 600 and Crystal Bar.
Need some help selecting an alternative? Then why not check out our Blog, ‘Disposable Vape Alternatives: What Devices Can I Use After the Ban?‘.
Are Hayati Pro Ultra legal in the UK?
The Hayati Pro Ultra disposable is illegal in the UK as it exceeds e-liquid capacity laws. The device includes a 2ml tank that complies with regulations. However, its 12ml refill container exceeds the maximum allowance making it a non compliant device.
In preparation for the June 1st ban the brand have released a compliant version of the device called the Hayati Pro Ultra Ultra Plus. The impressive kit features a like for like design and offers up to 25000 puffs of use!
Are 2400 puff vapes illegal?
In the UK big puff disposables are popular amongst vapers. However, following the june 1st ban only reusable and rechargeable pod kits will be legal.
It’s important to note that any closed kits with over a 2ml capacity are already illegal in the UK. Such as the Hayati Pro Max.
And that’s it for our guide on how to spot illegal vapes! If you’d like to know more or have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Sources
BBC. (2025). Dangerous metals found in batch of illegal vapes.
