If you’ve recently thought: ‘I don’t actually know what the legal age to vape is, don’t worry. Vaping is a relatively new pastime that has increased in popularity throughout the years.
As is to be expected, this new demand came with the introduction of government rules and regulations. Is there a legal age to vape? What is this and how does this compare to other countries around the world? We’ll be answering all these questions and more below.
If you’re a vape enthusiast (and above the legal age), feel accessible to Jomotech's top-of-the-range selection of E-Cigarettes, E-Liquids, disposables, and accessories to satisfy all your vaping needs.
WHY IS THERE A LEGAL AGE TO BUY VAPES?
This is primarily to protect young people from developing an addiction to nicotine. E-Cigarettes and vapes are often used by those who want to reduce their nicotine consumption over time gradually.
Setting the legal age to vape at 18 protects young people from the risks of nicotine addiction while allowing them time to mature. Vaping is a hobby for many and can stem from an interest in vaping products and E-liquid flavors.
As is the case with purchasing alcohol or nicotine, young adults can choose to engage with this once they are of legal age. Young people are not just beholden to this law in vape stores but online too. Before visiting sites that sell tobacco products, the user will be asked to confirm they are 18 or over. Third-party verification may also be required by some retailers, to ensure their customers are above the legal age.
WHAT IS THE LEGAL AGE TO BUY VAPES AROUND THE WORLD?
In the UK, the legal age to buy vapes is set at 18 years old. However, this varies from country to country. The age a child becomes an adult is a culturally distinct part of society, which results in numerous different laws.
In most parts of Europe, including France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria, etc., the legal age you can vape is the same as in the UK: 18 years old. Most countries in Europe use this age as the baseline for vaping because it is considered an addition to tobacco laws.
However, this is not the same for all European countries. Turkey, for example, has some of the strictest laws on vaping in Europe and has banned the sale of E-Cigarettes and vapes altogether. They are also outright banned in Belgium, Mexico, and Thailand.
Vapes are also considered illegal in Brazil, but the legal age to purchase and consume traditional tobacco products is 18. Recently, in 2021, Australia changes its laws on vaping, prohibiting over-the-counter purchases of E-Cigarettes and vapes.
Instead, Australian citizens can now only access these products through a doctor's prescription. This is to push smokers away from consuming products with stronger nicotine content and towards adjustable E-Cigarettes.
In both China and Japan, there is no age restriction on the purchase of vape products. However, in China, you must be aged 18 to buy and sell E-Cigarettes and E-Liquids. In Japan, you may buy a vape at any but can only purchase E-Liquids at the age of 20.
Korean citizens can buy vapes at 19 and traditional tobacco products.