Loading...
Free UK delivery on orders over £30 • Click & Collect available
This website contains products intended for adults only. By entering you confirm you are aged 18 or over.
By entering this site you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Loading...
Most vapes are vegan-friendly. The core ingredients in e-liquid are plant-based or synthetic. The two areas worth checking are specific flavour compounds (particularly creamy or fruity ones) and whether the brand tests on animals or has historically used ingredients that were.
Almost all e-liquid is made from the same four ingredients. Most are unambiguously vegan.
The components most likely to contain animal-derived ingredients are flavour compounds. UK and EU rules do not require manufacturers to break down every flavour compound, so the only way to be certain is to check the brand's position directly.
01
Cream, custard and vanilla flavours
Sometimes use dairy-derived flavour compounds during development, even if the final product does not contain dairy. Vanilla flavours can occasionally use castoreum, a beaver-derived compound, though this is rare.
02
Strawberry and red fruit flavours
Carmine (also called cochineal) is a red colouring made from crushed insects. Sometimes used in fruit flavours, though many UK brands have phased it out. Not strictly vegan.
03
Honey-flavoured liquids
Some honey-flavoured liquids genuinely contain honey or honey-derived compounds. Honey is not considered vegan by most definitions.
04
Gelling or thickening agents (very rare)
Cheap or poorly-made e-liquids have occasionally been reported to use gelatin or collagen-derived thickeners. Extremely uncommon in regulated UK products but not impossible.
The other major concern for ethical vegans is animal testing. The UK and EU have strict rules discouraging animal testing for cosmetic and similar products, which extends to most aspects of vape manufacturing.
UK and EU regulations make it unlikely that finished vape products are tested on animals. The grey area is that some component ingredients (particularly PG) have historically been tested on animals to establish their safety for human consumption.
For strict vegans, this raises two questions:
Look for explicit "vegan" or "vegan-friendly" labels
Many UK e-liquid brands now label their products this way. Look on the bottle or the brand's website. Saves you doing detective work on each flavour.
Check for cruelty-free certification
The leaping bunny logo from Cruelty Free International or PETA-certified brands have committed to no animal testing throughout their supply chain.
Stick to fruit and menthol flavours where possible
Less likely to contain animal-derived ingredients than cream, custard or vanilla flavours. Generally a safer bet for vegans.
Avoid honey-flavoured liquids
Many do genuinely contain honey or honey-derived compounds. Easy to avoid by reading the flavour description.
Choose UK or EU-made brands
Stricter regulations on labelling and animal testing than many other regions. Better starting point for finding genuinely vegan products.
Contact the manufacturer if unsure
Most UK e-liquid manufacturers will confirm vegan and cruelty-free status by email if it is not on their website. Worth the 5 minutes.
Vape hardware (the device itself, batteries, coils, tanks) almost never raises vegan concerns. They are made from metal, plastic and electronic components. No animal-derived materials.
One occasional exception: the rubber or silicone seals in some devices can theoretically use animal-derived processing aids. This is extremely uncommon in UK-sold products and would not typically be a concern unless you are strictly observant.
Disposable vapes are vegan in terms of ingredients. The bigger ethical concern with disposables is environmental rather than animal-related: single-use lithium batteries and plastic going to landfill. UK regulations on disposable vapes have tightened in recent years for this reason.
The honest summary: most vapes are vegan-friendly enough for most vegans most of the time. For strict vegans who want certainty:
The Vegan Society can also verify whether a specific brand meets full vegan standards. Their search tool covers many product categories.
Most vapes are vegan-friendly
The core ingredients (PG, VG, nicotine) are plant-based or synthetic. Most flavours and brands meet vegan standards in the UK.
Flavours are the main grey area
Cream, custard, vanilla, honey and red-fruit flavours occasionally contain animal-derived ingredients. Most fruit and menthol flavours are safe.
Look for explicit labelling
Many UK brands now state vegan and cruelty-free status clearly. The safest route is to buy from brands that have confirmed their policies.
Part of our guide
Clear, UK-focused answers to the health questions vapers actually ask. From side effects to long-term research.
Back to Health Guidance