Age Verification
UK law requires that vaping and nicotine products are only sold to adults aged 18 or over. We verify every customer's age with OneID before an order is placed — for most people it happens silently in seconds.
How the age check works
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You click Checkout. If your bag contains an age-restricted product, you'll see a short page asking for your name and address — the same details you'd enter at checkout anyway.
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OneID checks your age in the background. Your details are matched against trusted UK data sources. Most customers pass instantly and go straight through to payment with nothing else to do.
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If we can't confirm it automatically, you'll be offered a quick bank check. You log in to your own banking app and your bank confirms you're over 18. No photo ID, no uploads, no waiting for a manual review. It takes around 30 seconds.
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You're verified for good. Once you've passed, the result is saved against your customer account. You won't be asked again on future orders.
Is the bank check safe?
Yes. The bank check uses Open Banking, the same regulated system used by budgeting apps and account-switching services. You log in to your own bank, your bank confirms your age, and that's all it shares. We never see your login details, your balance or your transactions, and nothing is taken from your account.
We will never ask you to send bank details, card details or photo ID by email or message.
Why do I need to verify my age?
From 29 October 2026 the Tobacco and Vapes Act makes it an offence for online retailers to sell any vaping product or nicotine product, including nicotine pouches, to anyone under 18. Retailers must take all reasonable steps to confirm a customer's age before completing a sale.
A tick-box asking "are you over 18?" doesn't meet that standard. A proper, independent age check does, and it protects you, us and young people.
What if the check doesn't pass?
If the automatic check can't match your details, it's usually because of a typo, a recent house move, or a name entered differently from how it appears on official records. You'll be given the chance to correct your details and try again, or complete the bank check instead.
If your age cannot be verified by any method, we are not able to complete the sale. No payment is taken until verification has passed.
Pass first time
- Use your full legal name, not a nickname or initials
- Enter your current home address, with the correct postcode
- Use your own details, not someone else's
- If you've moved recently, the bank check is the quickest route
How are my details used?
Age checks are carried out by OneID, a UK digital identity provider certified under the UK Government's Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework. The only thing we receive back is whether you are over 18. We do not receive your date of birth, your bank details or any other personal information from the check.
By proceeding to checkout with an age-restricted product you agree to your name and address being used for age verification purposes. See OneID's Privacy Policy and our own Privacy Policy.
Buying for someone under 18 is a criminal offence
From 29 October 2026 it is an offence for anyone aged 18 or over to buy, or attempt to buy, vaping or nicotine products on behalf of someone under 18. This applies to online orders as well as in-store purchases.
Where we have reasonable grounds to suspect an order is being placed for a minor, we reserve the right to cancel it. More information: GOV.UK – selling vaping and nicotine products.
Frequently asked questions
I've ordered from you before. Do I still need to verify?
Yes, once. The law applies to every customer regardless of order history, so your next order will include an age check. After you've passed, it's saved and you won't see it again.
Do I have to upload a passport or driving licence?
No. The check uses your name and address, with a bank check as the backup. There is no document upload.
Does the check affect my credit score?
No. An age verification check is not a credit search and leaves no mark on your credit file.
Which products need an age check?
All vaping products and nicotine products, including e-liquids, vape kits, pods, coils, disposables and nicotine pouches. If it's in your bag, you'll be asked to verify.
Will I be asked for ID on delivery?
Not currently. We may introduce an age-verified delivery service in future, and we'll update this page if that changes.
Stuck on the age check?
Our team can help. Monday to Friday, 9:30am – 4:00pm.
Email support@theecig.co.uk