The UK Beginner’s Guide to Vaping (2026)

A straight-talking walkthrough of devices, e-liquid, nicotine, basic care, and what to buy first.

What’s different in 2026:

• Single-use disposables are already banned in the UK (since 1 June 2025). That’s pushed most beginners towards rechargeable pod kits and prefilled pod systems.
• UK rules still include 2ml pod/tank limits, 10ml max for nicotine bottles, and 20mg/ml max nicotine strength.
• A new UK vape tax is coming: Vaping Products Duty starts 1 October 2026 at £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid (a flat rate).

If you just want the simplest & most cost-effective route to get started: get a pod kit, use 50/50 nic salts, start with a tighter draw, and keep it boring for the first week. You can chase flavour, clouds, and gadgets later.

How vaping works

Any vape is just:

• Battery (powers the device)
• Coil (heats up)
• Wick (usually cotton, soaks up liquid)
• E-liquid (PG/VG + flavouring, nicotine)
• Airflow (how tight or airy the draw feels)

When the coil heats, liquid in the wick turns into vapour. Most beginner problems come down to either the coil not being wet enough or using the wrong liquid for the coil.

What matters when choosing your first device

Option A: Prefilled pod kits (closest to the old disposable feel)

What it’s like: consistent, tidy, no bottles, no mess.
Best for: ex-disposable users who want convenience without fiddling.

• You buy a rechargeable device and prefilled pods/refill packs.
• Running costs are usually higher than refillable pods, but it’s easy mode.

Option B: Refillable pod kits (best all-rounder for most beginners)

What it’s like: small, pocket-friendly, great flavour, cheap to run.
Best for: most new vapers, and anyone who wants value.

• You fill the pod with your own e-liquid.
• Pods are either replace-the-whole-pod or replaceable-coil style.
• Most are brilliant with nic salts and a tighter draw (MTL).

Example kits we stock include the Vaporesso XROS range, Uwell Caliburn devices, Voopoo Argus, and OXVA Xlim.

Option C: Mods and tanks (powerful, but not the easiest start)

What it’s like: bigger clouds, warmer vape, more juice used.
Best for: people who already know they want direct lung (DTL) vaping.

This route can be great, but it adds extra moving parts:

• coil choice matters more
• liquid choice matters more
• you’ll use more e-liquid per day

If you’re brand new, you can still go here, but you’ll save money and frustration by starting with pods unless you truly hate a tight draw.

MTL vs RDL vs DTL (pick the draw first, not the device)

This one choice solves half of beginner confusion.

• MTL (mouth-to-lung): tighter draw, like sipping through a straw.
  Works best with 50/50 e-liquid and nic salts.
• RDL (restricted direct lung): slightly airy, a middle ground.
  Can work with 50/50 or thinner 60/40 style blends depending on the pod.
• DTL (direct lung): wide open airflow, bigger clouds.
  Usually uses high VG liquid and low nicotine.

If you want a proper cigarette-style / disposable pull, choose MTL. If you want “airy and cloudy”, choose DTL.

E-liquid basics

PG/VG (how it feels)

• More PG: sharper throat feel, stronger flavour, thinner liquid
• More VG: smoother feel, bigger clouds, thicker liquid

Quick rule:

• Pod kits (MTL): go 50/50 or close to it
• Sub-ohm tanks (DTL): go high VG (often 70/30 VG/PG)

Nic salts vs freebase (how the nicotine feels)

• Nic salts: smoother feel at higher strengths, great in pods
• Freebase: more throat feel at the same strength, common in lower strengths

If you’re starting with a pod kit and want nicotine, nic salts are usually the easiest start.

UK bottle formats you’ll see

• 10ml nic salts / 10ml freebase (TPD compliant)
• Shortfills (bigger bottles, usually 0mg, you add nicotine shots)
• Nicotine shots (10ml boosters, used to add nicotine to shortfills)
• Longfills (flavour concentrate in a larger bottle, you add base and nicotine)

UK limits to remember: 10ml max for nicotine liquid, 20mg/ml max strength, and 2ml max pod/tank capacity.

Nicotine strength

Nicotine is personal, but you can pick a sensible starting point.

If you’re using an MTL pod kit with nic salts (most beginners)

• 20mg: strong cravings, you want fewer puffs to feel “sorted”
• 10mg: lighter cravings, or you want a softer hit
• 5mg: often for people who already vape and are stepping down
• 0mg: no nicotine

If you’re using DTL (sub-ohm)

Most people use lower strengths because you inhale more vapour per puff. Common starting points are 3mg to 6mg (freebase).

Rules that help:

• If it feels too intense, step down (20mg to 10mg, 6mg to 3mg).
• If you’re constantly chain-vaping and still not satisfied, you may need a stronger strength or a tighter MTL setup.
• If your throat feels too scratchy, try nic salts, lower strength, or a slightly more open airflow.

Remember: UK max nicotine is 20mg/ml.

Your first setup (do this to avoid most beginner problems)

Step-by-step for a refillable pod kit

1. Charge the device with a decent cable and a sensible plug.
2. Fill the pod and avoid getting liquid down the centre chimney.
3. Let it sit 5 to 10 minutes (this matters).
4. Start with airflow tighter and power lower.
5. Take a few gentle puffs. Then adjust airflow and power slowly.

If it tastes burnt on day one

That’s usually a dry wick or power set too high. Stop, let it soak longer, lower the power.

If it gurgles or leaks

Usually overfilling, thin liquid for the coil, or leaving it in a hot pocket/car.

Check out our guide to coil priming.

Coils and pods (what you’ll replace, and how often)

Think of coils like the “filter” part of the vape. They wear out.

You’ll know it’s time when:

• flavour drops off
• it tastes burnt
• it feels harsher than normal
• it starts leaking more than usual

Many people change coils every 5 to 14 days, but sweet liquids, high power, and chain vaping can shorten that.

Basic care that avoids disasters (battery, charging, storage)

You do not need to be paranoid, just consistent.

Charging

• Use a reputable plug and do not leave it roasting on bedding or inside a bag while charging.
• If the device or cable gets unusually hot, stop using it.

Batteries (if you ever use removable cells)

• Carry cells in a proper case, never loose in a pocket with keys or coins.
• If a battery wrap is torn, replace the wrap or replace the cell.

Legion of Vapers has a dedicated battery guide.

Liquid storage

• Keep bottles sealed, away from sunlight and heat.
• Keep nicotine products away from kids and pets.

What to buy first (simple shopping lists)

Route 1: “I want the easiest possible setup”

Buy:

• A prefilled pod kit
• 2 to 4 packs of pods/refills in flavours you actually like

Start here if you miss the convenience of disposables but want something compliant and rechargeable.

Route 2: “Best balance of cost, flavour, and simplicity”

Buy:

• A refillable pod kit
• 2 to 3 bottles of 10ml nic salts (50/50)
• 1 to 2 spare pods (or coils)
• A pack of replacement pods ready for later

If you want one setup that does almost everything, this is it.

Route 3: “I want bigger clouds and warmer vapour”

Buy:

• A sub-ohm kit (mod + tank)
• 2 packs of spare coils
• High VG shortfills plus nicotine shots (if you want nicotine)

Be honest with yourself here: it uses more liquid, so it costs more per week in juice.

The UK vape tax change coming in 2026 (what it means for your wallet)

What is changing

The UK is introducing Vaping Products Duty (VPD) from 1 October 2026. It’s a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, and it applies to vaping liquid produced in or imported into the UK.

Alongside that, the government has also set a one-off increase to tobacco duty from 1 October 2026 to preserve the price gap between vaping and tobacco.

How this is likely to affect prices

Because the duty is based on millilitres, the simplest way to think about it is: more liquid = more duty.

A rough example (numbers purely to show the maths):

• A 10ml bottle could carry £2.20 duty, before VAT and normal pricing.

Real retail prices will depend on brands, margins, and how supply chains handle it, but the direction is obvious: bigger bottles and high-consumption setups get hit harder.

What vapers can do about it (without panic buying)

• If you want to keep running costs down long-term, look at MTL pod setups that sip liquid rather than guzzle it. The duty is per ml, so using fewer ml per day matters.
• Expect more focus on efficient pods, tighter draws, and lower wattage vaping going into late 2026.
• Do not stockpile years of liquid. E-liquid has a shelf life, and old liquid tastes flat.

Quick beginner FAQs

Are disposable vapes legal in 2026?

No. The UK ban has applied since 1 June 2025, including online sales, and covers all vapes that are not rechargeable or not refillable.

What nicotine strength should I start on?

Most beginners on pod kits start around 10mg or 20mg nic salts, depending on cravings and how often they puff. UK max is 20mg/ml.

Why does my new vape taste burnt?

Usually: not enough soak time, power too high, or the wrong liquid thickness for the coil. Prime it properly and start lower.

How do I avoid fake gear and dodgy liquid?

Stick to reputable retailers and brands, and be wary of prices that look unreal. Legion of Vapers has a counterfeit guide.