Yes, big puffs vapes are legal in the UK – as long as they are rechargeable and fillable. Rechargeable big puff vape kits that use pods & refills to offer more than the standard 2ml of vape juice are perfectly legal, as long as they follow the relevant regulations.
However, disposable big puff vapes are not legal, due to the 2025 disposable vape ban UK. Dive in to find out more about big puff vapes and their status in the UK.
What are big puff vapes?
Big puff vapes are a type of vape kit that can hold more than 2ml of vape juice thanks to the way they use prefilled pods & refills. This means they can offer a much higher puff count than a standard prefilled pod vape kit. The number of puffs a big puff vape can produce will vary depending on how much e-liquid they contain and the technology they use.
Some big puff vapes will include one pod of up to 2ml and a refill capable of topping that up, while other kits may have space to hold a multiple pods at once. Others may hold two pods of up to 2ml and two refills too. There is a huge amount of variety when it comes to big puff vapes.
How do big puff vapes work?
Big puff vapes work in a variety of different ways depending on which technology they use and the style of pods & refills they are compatible with. They offer a MTL (mouth-to-lung) vaping style and many utilise mesh coils.
The main factor to dictate the puff count of each device is its e-liquid capacity – the more e-liquid they can hold, the higher the puff count. That said, the puff count is an estimate provided by the manufacturer and the actual puff count may vary depending on factors like your vaping style and whether the device has more than one power setting.
Who should buy big puff vapes?
Big puff vapes are suitable for a wide range of vapers and are particularly popular with beginners as they are simple and convenient, user-friendly, and cost-effective. They are also popular with those who are looking for a straightforward vape, even if they are experienced. For those just starting out, the Lost Mary BM6000 offers a nice and easy user experience. It offers a 2ml pod and 10ml refill in a really simple and tactile design. The SKE Bar 15K and the DOJO Blast 10K are other great options for those who are looking for an easy to use big puff vape.
The Elf Bar JoinOne15 Classic pod kit is also a good option to consider, as it has a unique design that allows it to be used in different ways. It has a mini unit which a 2ml pod & 10ml refill are inserted into. This can be used on its own for shorter vaping sessions, or it can be connected to a larger power unit for a longer-lasting experience between charges and choice of different power settings.
You can find more inspiration in our beginners guide to big puff vapes and flavours.
Are there any restrictions on the e-liquids used in big puff vapes?
There are restrictions on the e-liquids used in big puff vapes, which have been designed in accordance with UK regulations under the Tobacco Products Directive that state that the legal limit for a tank or pod is 2ml. Those big puff vapes which can hold multiple pods navigate this by using a number of individual 2ml pods which can be switched between,
Big puff vapes can also include refills of up to 10ml, which is the largest size permitted for e-liquids bottles that contain nicotine. Some big puff vapes that have very large e-liquid capacities may utilise multiple refills, with each refill containing no more than 10ml of e-liquid.
Also, the maximum nicotine strength for e-liquids is 20 mg/ml (2%), according to UK regulations, so all compliant big puff vapes will have nicotine strength of 20 mg/ml or lower.
What are the current big puff vape regulations in the UK?
In addition to regulations around the e-liquid used in big puff vapes, there are a variety of other regulations they must meet in the UK.
These include:
- users should be 18+
- devices should only have a 2ml tank capacity
- maximum of 20 mg/ml nicotine strength
- cannot be single-use
This means that big puff vapes must be rechargeable and either be refillable or make use of prefilled pods & refills that can be replaced, so that the device can be reused. You can learn more in our post on big puff vapes and the disposables ban.
There are also some regulations that are particularly applicable for big puff vapes, especially around pod and refill sizes:
- The pod part of the big puff vape will have a maximum e-liquid capacity of 2ml, as per UK law.
- These vape kits are able to contain more e-liquid either by holding multiple 2ml pods or by also holding a larger refill.
- Refills follow the same regulations as bottles of e-liquid, so will not contain more than 10ml of nicotine-containing e-liquid per refill.
What future vaping regulations might we see in the UK?
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is currently in consultation and could bring about a number of changes in future big puff vape regulation. One particularly relevant part of the proposed Bill is Part 5, Section 89/90/91, where the Government is seeking power to restrict the size and appearance of products. For example, the Bill mentions the regulation of things like the number of individual products within an individual packet, the size of products and their components, along with the size and shape of packaging.
However, it is important to remember that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is simply seeking the powers to regulate and will not actually bring these proposed actions into law. Any changes that are desired will need to be introduced of their own accord and make their way through the legislative pathway. This means that should the Government choose to pursue any of these proposed regulations there would be room for professionals, manufacturers, and consumers to provide input on the outcome.
There is also the Vaping Products Duty which is due to be introduced on 1 October 2026. This new excise duty on vaping products will levy a flat rate of £2.20 per 10 millilitres of vaping liquid, regardless of how much nicotine is contained in the product. This will affect big puff vapes and all vaping products that use vape juice. You can find more information in our guide to Vaping Products Duty in the UK.
Switch to vaping with Evapo
Here at Evapo, we offer a wide range of products to help support people to make the switch from smoking. Big puff vapes are just one of those options and provide a longer-lasting experience alongside a user-friendly design. This can make them a suitable choice for those who are new to vaping and who are looking for a convenient way to support their journey away from cigarettes.
Conclusion
Big puff vapes are legal in the UK, making them a handy choice for anyone looking for a convenient and long-lasting vaping experience. Big puff vapes allow you to vape for longer between pod changes, thanks to pod & refill systems that allow them to contain more than the standard 2ml of e-liquid.
Like all vaping products, big puff vapes are subject to a range of regulations and it is important to choose vape kits from trustworthy shops like Evapo, to ensure that they are both safe and compliant. Browse our range of big puff vapes now or, if you have any questions, be sure to get in touch with our customer service team – we are always happy to help.
Sources:
Gov.UK – 16/08/2024
Gov.UK – 26/11/2025
Bills.parliment.uk – 21/03/2026 (last checked)
