UK Vaping Regulations: TPD, TRPR and What Applies to CBD Vapes (2026)
UK Vaping Regulations: TPD, TRPR and What Applies to CBD Vapes (2026)
What the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations cover, why most of them don’t apply to nicotine-free CBD vapes, and the newer rules that do: the single-use ban, vaping duty and the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026.
The short version
TPD/TRPR rules (2ml tanks, 10ml bottles, 20mg/ml nicotine cap, MHRA notification) apply to nicotine-containing vapes. Nicotine-free CBD vapes are mainly covered by general product safety law, the 1mg THC limit and the ban on medical claims.
Newer rules apply to all vapes: the single-use vape ban (from 1 June 2025), Vaping Products Duty of £2.20 per 10ml with duty stamps (from 1 October 2026), and the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which is being phased in.
This guide to TPD and TRPR covers what you need to know, using UK guidance and the latest evidence. UK vaping law has changed a lot since 2016, and it’s easy to mix up which rules apply to which products. This guide summarises the main regulations, with a focus on what they mean for CBD vapes. It’s general information, not legal advice. Retailers should check GOV.UK and Trading Standards for the latest requirements.
TPD and TRPR in brief
The EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) was brought into UK law by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR). After Brexit, the TRPR remained in force in Great Britain. For nicotine-containing e-cigarettes and refills, the key rules are:
| Rule | Requirement (nicotine products) |
|---|---|
| Tank / cartridge size | Maximum 2ml |
| Refill bottle size | Maximum 10ml |
| Nicotine strength | Maximum 20mg/ml |
| Notification | Products must be notified to the MHRA before sale |
| Packaging | Child-resistant and tamper-evident, with nicotine health warning and leaflet |
| Advertising | Heavily restricted |
See the MHRA’s e-cigarette regulations guidance for full details.
Do TPD/TRPR rules apply to CBD vapes?
Mostly not. TRPR is aimed at products containing or intended for nicotine. Nicotine-free CBD vapes and e-liquids aren’t notified to the MHRA under TRPR, which is why CBD e-liquids can be sold in larger bottles such as 60ml or 100ml. Instead, CBD vapes must comply with:
- Drug law: no more than 1mg of THC (and other controlled cannabinoids) in the whole product. See is CBD legal in England?
- General product safety law: products must be safe, with appropriate labelling and warnings.
- Chemical labelling (CLP) rules where relevant.
- No medical claims: CBD vapes can’t claim to treat anxiety, pain or any condition.
Rules that now apply to all vapes, including CBD
| Rule | Since | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Single-use vape ban | 1 June 2025 | Vapes must be rechargeable and refillable, or take replacement pods. Disposable-only devices can’t be sold |
| Vaping Products Duty | 1 October 2026 | £2.20 per 10ml on vaping liquids, whether or not they contain nicotine, with duty stamps phased in. All vaping products sold must carry a valid stamp from 1 April 2027 |
| Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 | Royal Assent 29 April 2026, being phased in | New powers over vape flavours, packaging, displays and retailer requirements. Check GOV.UK for which parts are in force |
| Age of sale | Ongoing | Vapes are for adults 18+. Responsible retailers apply age checks to all vaping products |
| Recycling (WEEE) | Ongoing | Vape retailers must offer take-back for recycling |
What this means for you as a buyer
- Choose rechargeable CBD pens or pod systems. See how to choose a CBD vape.
- Check the product contains no more than 1mg of THC and has an independent lab report.
- Expect prices to reflect the new duty on e-liquids.
- Avoid products making health claims or containing “legal high” cannabinoids such as HHC.
- Recycle used devices at the shop or a household waste recycling centre.
Our 5-point checklist covers what to check before you buy.
Reporting problems
- Side effects or safety concerns with a vape: report through the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme.
- Non-compliant or illegal products: report to your local Trading Standards via Citizens Advice.
Vaping isn’t risk-free, and if you don’t smoke, the NHS advises you not to start. Never vape CBD oil drops, which are made to be taken by mouth.
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Keep reading: you may also find Will CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?, Are CBD Edibles Legal in the UK? and CBD and Driving in the UK useful; for a related topic, see How Much CBD Oil Should I Take?. For the latest UK guidance relevant to TPD and TRPR, see the NHS advice on vaping.
Key takeaways
- TRPR limits (2ml tanks, 10ml bottles, 20mg/ml) apply to nicotine products.
- Nicotine-free CBD vapes are governed mainly by product safety law, the 1mg THC limit and the ban on medical claims.
- Single-use vapes have been banned since 1 June 2025.
- Vaping Products Duty of £2.20 per 10ml applies to all vaping liquids from 1 October 2026.
- The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 is being phased in, so check GOV.UK for current rules.
CBD is a food supplement, not a medicine. Nothing in this article is medical advice. CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The Food Standards Agency advises healthy adults to take no more than 10mg of CBD a day. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, speak to a healthcare professional before using CBD.
UK vaping regulations: FAQs
The Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) is the EU law that the UK implemented through the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR). TRPR sets limits for nicotine vapes, including 2ml tanks, 10ml refill bottles and a maximum of 20mg/ml nicotine.
Mostly not, because they target nicotine products. CBD vapes must still meet product safety law, contain no more than 1mg of THC per product and make no medical claims.
Vaping Products Duty of £2.20 per 10ml applies to vaping liquids from 1 October 2026, whether or not they contain nicotine.
Yes. Single-use vapes have been banned from sale since 1 June 2025. Vapes must be rechargeable and refillable, or take replacement pods.
A law that received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, giving the government powers over vape flavours, packaging, displays and retailers. Its measures are being phased in.
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