Last updated: May 13, 2025
Regulatory Framework
Are e-cigarettes partly or entirely regulated under tobacco control laws?
E-cigarettes are primarily regulated under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016 No. 507). Amendments were made to this law under the Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019 No. 41) and the Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 to enable the application of the EU TPD in Northern Ireland following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
In addition, the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 gives the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety the power to prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to persons under the age of 18.
Are e-cigarettes partly or entirely regulated under medicine or pharmaceutical laws?
Manufacturers can apply to register e-cigarettes as medicines under either Regulation 51 or 52 of the Human Medicines Regulation (as amended). The government has issued guidance on how to license e-cigarettes and other inhaled nicotine-containing products as medicines. E-cigarettes regulated as medicines may contain higher nicotine levels (more than 20 mg/ml) and e-liquid volume (more than 2 ml for single-use cartridges/disposables, and more than 10 ml for refills).
