Not all vape juice is made equal. In the UK, public health guidance has consistently recognized vaping as a less harmful option than smoking for adult smokers. But that only applies when you're using properly regulated products from reputable vape shops. Unregulated or poorly sourced e liquids can contain ingredients that have no place in your lungs.
This guide explains what goes into vape juice, which substances are banned or considered higher risk, and how to avoid products that fall short of UK standards.
Most Vape liquid uses a simple base with flavoring and sometimes nicotine. Understanding these ingredients helps you spot when something is missing or when a product contains additives it shouldn't.
Propylene Glycol (PG) is widely used in everyday products including food, cosmetics, and medicine. In e liquid, it helps carry flavor and gives a firmer throat hit. It is generally regarded as low toxicity when used as intended. PG is thinner than VG, which means it wicks faster and works well in smaller pod kits.
Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is a thicker, vegetable derived liquid. It helps produce denser vapor and a smoother feel. It also supports consistent wicking in most tanks and coils. Higher VG liquids suit sub ohm kits and direct to lung vaping, while 50/50 mixes work better in MTL pod kits.
Flavorings give e liquid its taste and smell. This is where safety matters most. Some substances that are acceptable to eat are not suitable to inhale. Reputable brands avoid known problem ingredients and stick to safer formulations. The flavoring is also where corners get cut in cheap or unregulated products.
Nicotine is optional and addictive. It is not the main cause of smoking related disease, but it still needs to be treated with care. Nicotine e liquid is mainly suited to adult smokers switching away from cigarettes. If you do not need nicotine, choose nicotine free options. In the UK, nicotine e liquids are limited to 20mg strength and 10ml bottle sizes under TPD rules.
The risks from vaping almost always come from one of three sources. Poor quality ingredients, banned additives, or hardware problems that cause overheating.
Legitimate UK e liquids go through a notification process with the MHRA before they can be sold. This includes submitting ingredient lists, emissions data, and toxicology information. Products that skip this process have no oversight and no guarantee of safety.
Black market e liquids, cheap imports, and homemade mixes are where most problems occur. These products may contain ingredients that are banned in the UK, use contaminated base liquids, or include flavorings that were never tested for inhalation.
Buying from trusted UK retailers and choosing products made for the UK market reduces your risk. UK compliant e liquids must meet strict rules on ingredients, packaging, labelling, and nicotine limits.
The substances below are associated with safety concerns and are restricted or banned in UK compliant vape products.
Risk: Bronchiolitis obliterans, often called popcorn lung.
Diacetyl became widely known after cases of severe lung damage in workers exposed to it in industrial settings. It was originally used in food manufacturing to create buttery flavors, particularly in microwave popcorn. When inhaled repeatedly, it can damage the smallest airways in the lungs, which affects breathing over time.
In e liquid, diacetyl was used to create buttery, creamy, or custard flavor notes. You are unlikely to see it in UK regulated products today, but it can still appear in poorly sourced or imported liquids. Any e liquid with a rich dessert or custard profile from an unknown source should be treated with caution.
Risk: Similar airway irritation and harm concerns.
Some manufacturers used related compounds as replacements for diacetyl after the risks became known. Evidence suggests these substitutes can raise similar inhalation concerns, even if they are safe to eat. The problem is that food safe does not mean inhalation safe.
Avoid any e liquid that lists diketones or does not clearly state what flavoring compounds it uses. Reputable brands will either confirm their products are diketone free or provide clear ingredient information on request.
Risk: Serious lung injury linked with contaminated vaping products.
Vitamin E acetate is used in cosmetics, skincare, and dietary supplements. It is safe to swallow or apply to skin. Inhalation is the problem. When heated and inhaled, it coats the lungs and interferes with normal function.
Vitamin E acetate was identified as the primary cause of the EVALI outbreak in the United States in 2019, which caused hundreds of hospitalizations and multiple deaths. Almost all cases were linked to illicit THC vape cartridges that used vitamin E acetate as a thickening agent. This ingredient should never appear in legitimate nicotine e liquid.
Risk: Poisoning and kidney harm.
These are industrial solvents used in products like antifreeze, brake fluid, and industrial coolants. They should not be present in e liquid under any circumstances. Both are toxic when ingested or inhaled.
When these substances have been found in e liquid, it is usually linked to contaminated or substandard ingredients from unregulated sources. Cheap PG or VG from unreliable suppliers can be cut with these chemicals to reduce costs. This is another reason to buy from established UK retailers who source from verified suppliers.
Risk: Respiratory irritation and wider health concerns.
Cadmium, chromium, iron, lead, and nickel can enter vapor if hardware is poor quality, coils degrade, or kits are used at extreme temperatures. The metals come from the heating element and other components, not the e liquid itself.
Good manufacturing and sensible use reduce this risk. Stick to quality hardware from known brands, replace coils before they break down, and avoid pushing wattage beyond recommended limits. If your coil is discolored, gunked up, or producing an off taste, change it.
Risk: Exposure to harmful carbonyl compounds.
Formaldehyde is not typically added as an ingredient. It can form when e liquid is overheated, such as during a dry hit. This happens when the coil fires without enough liquid to vaporize, causing the wick and remaining residue to burn.
Using the right coil for your wattage and keeping wicking saturated helps prevent this. If you taste a harsh, burnt, acrid note, stop vaping immediately and check your coil. Dry hits are unpleasant and avoidable with proper technique.
Running a coil at excessive wattage, chain vaping without letting the wick resaturate, or using a high VG liquid in a kit designed for thinner e liquid can all increase the risk of overheating.
Risk: Unwanted stimulant effects and unknown inhalation risks.
These additives are designed for drinks and supplements, not vapor. Inhaling stimulant compounds may irritate the throat and airways, and may increase heart rate in some people. The lungs absorb substances differently than the digestive system, and there is limited research on what happens when you inhale caffeine or taurine repeatedly.
There is no good reason for these to be in e liquid. Any product that markets added stimulants as a feature should be avoided.
TPD stands for Tobacco Products Directive. In the UK, e liquids must meet the UK Tobacco and Related Products Regulations, which sets rules on notification, labelling, bottle size, and nicotine limits.
MHRA notification means the product has been submitted to the UK regulator with full ingredient and emissions data before it can legally be sold. This creates a paper trail and accountability.
Child resistant and tamper evident packaging is required on all nicotine containing e liquids. If a bottle opens easily without pressing, squeezing, or aligning a cap, it may not meet UK standards.
Clear labelling must include the nicotine strength, ingredient list, batch number, manufacturer details, and health warnings. If any of this is missing, vague, or printed in a language you cannot read, the product may not be UK compliant.
Nicotine limits cap strength at 20mg and bottle size at 10ml for nicotine containing e liquid. Larger bottles are only permitted for nicotine free or shortfill products.
Avoid any e liquid that makes unrealistic health claims, promises effects beyond satisfying nicotine cravings, or does not clearly show what it contains.
Knowing what to look for helps you avoid problem products before you buy.
Missing or unclear labelling is the most obvious warning sign. A legitimate UK e liquid will have clear nicotine strength, a batch number, ingredient information, and manufacturer contact details. If the label is vague, poorly printed, or missing key information, avoid it.
Spelling errors and poor packaging often indicate counterfeit or unregulated products. Legitimate manufacturers invest in proper packaging. Cheap printing, misaligned labels, and grammatical errors suggest the product did not go through proper quality control.
No child resistant cap on a nicotine containing product is a clear sign it does not meet UK standards. All nicotine e liquids sold legally in the UK must have child resistant, tamper evident closures.
Unusually low prices should raise questions. If a product is significantly cheaper than the same item elsewhere, ask why. It may be counterfeit, out of date, or sourced from an unregulated market.
Unknown brands with no online presence are a gamble. Established manufacturers have websites, contact information, and a track record. If you cannot find any information about a brand, treat it with caution.
Products sold through social media or messaging apps are often unregulated. Legitimate retailers do not typically sell through Instagram DMs or WhatsApp groups.
Understanding the supply chain helps explain why some products are risky.
Black market and counterfeit products are made to look like legitimate brands but contain unknown ingredients. These are often sold at car boot sales, markets, or through social media. Counterfeit versions of popular brands can be difficult to spot without comparing them to genuine packaging.
Cheap imports from countries with different regulations may contain ingredients that are banned in the UK. Just because a product is legal in another market does not mean it meets UK safety standards.
Homemade and DIY e liquid sold commercially is illegal in the UK unless it meets TPD requirements. Some people mix their own e liquid for personal use, which is legal, but selling it without proper notification and testing is not.
Expired or poorly stored products can degrade over time. Nicotine oxidizes and flavorings can break down if stored in heat or sunlight. Always check the expiry date and avoid products that look discolored or smell off.
A safer choice starts with the basics. Keep your shopping decisions simple and consistent.
Buy from trusted UK retailers. Avoid unknown marketplaces and imported bottles with unclear labelling. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Established vape shops have reputations to protect and only stock products that meet UK standards.
Read the label before you buy. Look for clear ingredients, nicotine strength, batch numbers, and compliance details. If the label is vague or missing information, skip it. A few seconds of checking can save you from a bad experience.
Stick to established brands. Reputable manufacturers use controlled ingredients and consistent testing. Unknown brands with no track record are a gamble. If you cannot find reviews, a website, or any information about a brand, choose something else.
Avoid suspect additives. Steer clear of products that mention diacetyl, vitamin E acetate, diketones, or stimulant additives. If a product lists unusual ingredients or makes claims about added effects, treat it with suspicion.
Choose the right nicotine strength. Pick a level that matches your needs, or go nicotine free if you do not want it. Starting too high can make the experience unpleasant and increase the temptation to buy unregulated high strength products.
Use your kit correctly. Match coil resistance to the recommended wattage and avoid dry hits. Poor technique can turn a safe e liquid into something harsher than it needs to be. Keep your wick saturated, replace coils regularly, and stay within the recommended power range.
If you have purchased an e liquid that you suspect is unsafe, stop using it immediately. Do not finish the bottle just because you paid for it.
Check the packaging again. Look for the signs mentioned above. Missing information, poor printing, no child resistant cap, or unusually low prices all suggest a problem.
Contact the retailer. If you bought from a UK shop, let them know your concerns. Legitimate retailers will take complaints seriously and may offer a refund or replacement.
Report it to Trading Standards. If you believe a product is counterfeit, contains banned ingredients, or does not meet UK regulations, you can report it to your local Trading Standards office. This helps protect other vapers from the same product.
Seek medical advice if you feel unwell. If you experience unusual symptoms after vaping a new e liquid, such as chest tightness, difficulty breathing, nausea, or dizziness, stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional. Take the bottle with you if possible so they can see what you were using.
UK vape retailers that follow the rules are your best protection against unsafe products. They source from verified suppliers, stock only notified products, and can be held accountable if something goes wrong.
Buying from unknown online sellers, overseas websites, or social media accounts removes that protection. You have no guarantee of what you are getting, no recourse if there is a problem, and no way of knowing whether the product meets any safety standards at all.
The few pounds you might save on a cheap import are not worth the risk. Stick to established UK retailers, check the packaging, and trust your instincts. If something seems off, it probably is.
Vaping is designed for adult smokers who want a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. The best approach is simple. Buy compliant e liquids, stick to reputable brands, and avoid products with unclear origins or questionable ingredients.
A good e liquid should be clearly labelled, made to UK standards, and suited to your kit and nicotine needs. The harmful ingredients covered in this guide are either banned or heavily restricted in UK compliant products, so buying from trusted retailers is the easiest way to avoid them.
If you are ever in doubt, check the label, research the brand, and buy from established UK vape shops. Your lungs will thank you for it.
MBTpg
