Vape Terminology: A-Z Glossary for UK Vapers - 2026 Edition
New to vaping or confused by all the terminology? Despite vaping being relatively new in the grand scheme of things, it has developed many terms and slang over the years. So, we've made it easier for you by putting together this A-Z vaping glossary.
Let's get straight to it.
A
Atomiser: The centre of any vape, where the wick and coil sit. The atomiser turns e-liquid into the vapour you inhale. You'll often hear vapers referring to it as an "atty".
Advertising Rules: Vape product marketing comes with strict rules to prevent youth vaping. In June 2027, the government will introduce a full sponsorship and advertising ban.
Age of Sale: The legal age to buy any vape product in the UK is 18. Retailers and online stores must perform ID checks.
All-in-One Device (AIO): A pod kit or mod in which the components, such as the coil, tank, and battery, are in one compact unit rather than separate parts screwed together.
B
Big Puff Kits: Big puff kits are alternatives to the now-banned high-capacity disposable vapes. They're rechargeable and refillable devices that deliver thousands of puffs and are excellent investments for travelling.
Box Mod: A square-shaped device with advanced settings. These are for advanced vapers who want more customisation.
Battery Types: While most pod and pen devices have fixed, built-in batteries, others may have removable cells that you can swap out.
C
Clearomisers: Clear tanks that contain a coil and space for e-liquid. You can find dual coil clearomisers and vertical coil clearomisers, depending on your vaping style and preferences.
Coil: A vital heating element. The coil heats e-liquid and then turns it into vapour. Coils can be standalone products that you swap, or come in clearomiser/pod form, where you switch the tank. Most coils last 1-2 weeks, depending on your vaping frequency.
Cloud Chasing: Popular among sub-ohm vapers, cloud chasing is about creating huge clouds from your vape device.
Challenge 25: The retail policy that applies to alcohol, tobacco, and vape products. If someone looks like they might be under 25, retailers have a legal duty to ask for ID.
Coil Burns: When you puff on a vape device without e-liquid, or the coil wears down, it will burn. This can result in a burnt taste in your mouth. You can avoid a burnt coil by ensuring your tank never runs on empty and by changing it regularly.
D
Drip Tip: The mouthpiece you draw on to inhale any vapour produced by your electronic cigarette. Many kits have swappable drip tips, where you don't need to purchase a new tank.
Direct-to-lung (DTL): Direct-to-lung vaping involves inhaling vapour straight into your lungs. It's similar to a deep breath and popular among sub-ohm users who enjoy creating more vapour for cloud chasing.
Disposable Vapes: Single-use devices were once a go-to for many former smokers. However, due to environmental concerns and rising youth vaping, they're no longer available in the UK. The disposable ban came into effect in June 2025, meaning manufacturers and retailers can no longer offer the kits.
Duty Stamps: A new marking system that will be mandatory for every taxable bottle of e-liquid. Businesses began registering for the scheme in 2026, but there will be a transition period that allows retailers to sell unstamped stock.
E
Electronic Cigarette: The traditional name for vape devices. Although many people refer to them as vape kits now.
E-Liquid: E-liquid bottles contain flavourings and a combination of PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerine). You can also get different nicotine strengths, including 0mg e-liquids.
F
Freebase Nicotine: The traditional style of nicotine in e-liquids. Freebase feels more like a traditional cigarette, delivering a harsher throat hit.
Flavour Restrictions: There may be restrictions on available vape flavours in the future. Ministers can regulate flavour descriptions and names, but there must be a consultation period.
Flavour Chasers: Individuals who prioritise e-liquid flavour over everything else.
G
Grace Period: The time retailers will have to sell unstamped e-liquid stock when the new e-liquid tax laws come into effect.
Grub Screws: These are found on the decks of rebuildable vape devices to secure the coils.
H
Hit (or throat hit): That sensation you get when you inhale on a vape device. The strength of your throat hit depends on the nicotine flavour and strength.
Hardware: The physical components of your vape device, including the battery, tank, and mod.
I
Inhale-Activated: Devices that fire when you draw on them instead of having to push a button. Some devices have dual options.
J
Juice: The slang term for e-liquid.
K
Kit: Used to describe your vape kit and popularly used for starter kits, which include the device, charging cable, coils, and sometimes e-liquids in one package. Great options for people who are transitioning from smoking.
Kanthal: A popular type of wire advanced vapers use to build their own coils.
L
Leaking: When vape liquid escapes the tank or pod. This usually occurs due to a worn seal, overfilling your tank, or temperature changes.
Lung Hit: Another way to describe the sensation from direct-to-lung vaping.
Lithium Ion: The most popular type of battery used in vape devices, known for its longevity.
Low Resistance: The number of ohms a vape coil has. Low-resistance coils are best for sub-ohm vaping.
M
MHRA: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. This body checks that vape products meet the required safety standards before retailers can sell them.
Milligram Strength (mg): The amount of nicotine in e-liquid. The legal limit is 20mg, which is suitable for heavy smokers, but you can gradually reduce your intake.
Mod: Any advanced device that enables you to control settings, including power outputs and temperatures.
Mouth-to-lung (MTL): The most popular vaping style, as it mimics the smoking experience. Most starter kits and pods are designed for MTL vaping. You inhale vapour into your mouth, then breathe it into your lungs.
N
Nic Salts: A popular form of nicotine that satisfies cravings quickly and delivers a smoother throat hit. Nic salts are the standard option in pre-filled pod devices.
Nicotine Shot: A small bottle of concentrated nicotine that's available in different strengths. You add these to nicotine-free vape juices like shortfills, which gives you more flexibility when using sub-ohm kits.
O
Ohms: The unit that describes the resistance of replaceable coils. Higher-resistance coils are best for MTL vaping devices, while lower-resistance coils are best for mod kits.
Output (wattage): How much power an e-cigarette sends to the coil. Higher-end kits usually feature different power options.
P
Pod Kit: A modern e-cigarette-style device that uses replaceable or refillable pods. You remove the entire pod and replace it as and when needed. Prefilled pod kits are popular in the vaping community because they're the most convenient alternative to disposables, as they're already filled with e-liquid.
PG/VG: Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin are the base ingredients of your e-liquid. VG is responsible for thickening the vapour, while PG is a colourless liquid that delivers the throat hit.
Q
Quitting Tool: In the UK, public health guidance recommends vaping as a quitting tool for smokers.
R
Refillable: Any device where you fill the vape tank or pod with e-liquid yourself. This can be freebase or nicotine salt vape juice.
Rebuildables: Atomisers that allow users to build their own coils. These options are suitable for mechanical mod devices and advanced vapers.
S
Shortfill: A large bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid that has room to add nicotine shots. These vape juices come in a range of flavours and will fall under the new tax laws when they come into effect.
Steeping: When vapers mix their own vape juices, they let them sit (or steep) for a while to ensure full flavour development.
Sub-Ohm Vaping: Also known as DTL (Direct to Lung) vaping, with coils with lower electrical resistance and higher vapour production levels.
T
TPD / TRPR: The Tobacco Products Directive and the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations. These bodies set the limits that vape brands and retailers must follow. This includes limiting 10ml vape juices to 20mg of nicotine.
Tank: The refillable component that holds e-liquid and a coil.
Tobacco and Vapes Act: The Tobacco and Vapes Act gives the government greater power over vape regulations, including the designation of vape-free zones, advertising restrictions, and packaging rules.
U
USB-C Charging: The standard way to quickly charge your vape device. These plug into your computer or USB charger.
V
Vaper's Tongue: When you use the same flavour continuously, it can dull your perception of it. This is often known as vaper's tongue.
Vaping Products Duty (VPD): The new tax laws are also known as the Vaping Products Duty (VPD). A flat tax rate will apply to each bottle, increasing e-liquid prices across the UK.
W
Wattage: See Output above (the power delivered to the coil, adjustable on variable-output devices).
WEEE Collection: All vape shops should provide a device and battery collection point to prevent environmental damage.
W
Wick: The absorbent material that's usually made of cotton. It stores vape juice and feeds it to the coil, which then turns it into vapour.
Y
Youth Access Prevention: The government's attempt to curb youth vaping levels and make it hard for individuals under 18 to purchase vape devices and e-liquids.
Z
Zero nicotine (0mg): A nicotine-free e-liquid solution. They create flavoured vapour, and different formulations are available. For example, using a high VG 0mg e-liquid increases vapour production, while high PG vape juices deliver a stronger throat hit.
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