What is TPD and How Does it Affect Vaping in Europe

Ever gone to buy vape juice only to wonder why you're stuck with those tiny 10ml bottles? Or why your tank holds so little liquid? Blame the TPD – those three letters that shape everything about vaping in Europe.

The TPD Explained (Without the Boring Bits)

TPD stands for Tobacco Products Directive – basically a bunch of rules the EU came up with back in 2016 that control how vapes and e-liquids can be made and sold.

I won't lie – when these rules first came in, I was pretty annoyed. Suddenly my nice big bottles of e-liquid were replaced with these tiny expensive ones, and my tank needed refilling every five minutes.

But what exactly does the TPD cover? Here's the simple version:

• No nicotine stronger than 20mg/ml
• E-liquid with nicotine only in 10ml bottles (or smaller)
• Tanks can't be bigger than 2ml
• Childproof caps on everything
• No leaky bottles or tanks

That's why everything you buy in Europe looks different from the stuff you see in American or Asian vaping videos.

How These Rules Mess With Your Vaping

Let me tell you how this plays out in real life:

The Bottle Problem

Remember buying one nice 30ml bottle of juice? Now you're buying three or four tiny 10ml bottles instead. Your bin fills up faster, you're constantly opening new bottles, and you're probably paying more too.

Last month I went through sixteen 10ml bottles of my favorite juice. SIXTEEN! That's a lot of plastic waste and a lot of faffing about with tiny caps.

Tank Troubles

The 2ml tank limit is a right pain if you're out all day. I used to fill up my 5ml tank in the morning and be sorted till evening. Now? I'm carrying a bottle around and finding places to refill. Try doing that at a festival or on a night out!

The tank restriction affects all devices, including disposable vapes, which are limited to the same 2ml capacity across the EU.

Nicotine Limits

If you're just switching from smoking, the 20mg/ml limit can make things harder. Heavier smokers often need stronger nicotine when they first switch to vaping, and 20mg doesn't always cut it.

The 20mg/ml nicotine limit affects MTL and DTL vaping differently. MTL (mouth-to-lung) vapers can usually manage with this restriction since they use less liquid, while DTL (direct-to-lung) vapers typically prefer lower nicotine strengths but go through e-liquid much faster.

I've seen people give up on vaping and go back to cigarettes because they couldn't get a strong enough hit at the start. Shame, really.

Not All European Countries Play by the Same Rules

The TPD is just the starting point – each country then adds its own extra rules on top. It's a proper mess if you travel around Europe:

I found this out the hard way trying to buy my favorite blueberry juice in Amsterdam last summer. Turns out the Dutch banned most fruit flavors! Had to vape tobacco flavor all holiday – not exactly what I had in mind. Then got caught out again in Barcelona when the beach patrol gave me a €30 fine for vaping on the sand – apparently they've banned it on many beaches there too.

How Vapers Get Around These Rules

Vapers are a crafty bunch – we've found ways to work within these rules:

Shortfills: The Savior of European Vapers

Shortfills are pure genius. Since the TPD only restricts liquids WITH nicotine, companies now sell bigger bottles (60ml, 100ml, etc.) that are nicotine-free, with space left to add your own nicotine.

So you buy a 50ml shortfill in a 60ml bottle, add a 10ml nicotine shot, and boom – you've got 60ml of juice at 3mg strength. Works out cheaper and creates less waste.

I pretty much only use shortfills now – once you get used to adding the nic shots and giving them a good shake, it's way better than messing about with loads of small bottles.

Pod Systems: Making the Best of Small Tanks

The 2ml tank limit led to a huge rise in pod systems – those small, often disposable or cartridge-based vapes. Instead of constantly refilling the same tank, you just chuck in a new pod when it's empty.

Not gonna lie, I resisted these for ages (seemed wasteful), but I've got a refillable pod system for when I'm out now. It's just less hassle than carrying bottles around.

What Real Vapers Think About the TPD

I asked some of our regular customers what they thought about these rules:

Dave (smoked 20 a day for 15 years): "The nicotine limit was hard at first. Had to vape constantly to get enough nicotine. Nearly went back to cigs."

Sarah (vaper since 2014): "I'm sick of tiny bottles. So much plastic waste and they cost more. The shortfills help but it's still annoying."

Mike (vape shop owner): "It's made things harder but at least there's better quality control now. Remember those dodgy juices from 2013? At least that's improved."

The Future: What Might Change?

The EU is already looking at updating these rules, with changes possibly coming after 2025. Here's what might be on the cards:

• Tougher rules on disposables (they're creating tons of waste)
• More countries following the Netherlands with flavor bans
• Possibly stronger regulations on how vapes are marketed
• Maybe (hopefully) some recognition that bigger bottles would reduce plastic waste

Belgium's recent ban on disposables might be a sign of things to come. Environmental concerns seem to be driving a lot of the new thinking around vaping rules.

Actual Numbers: TPD Hasn't Killed Vaping

Despite all these restrictions, vaping is still growing in Europe:

• About 4.3 million people vape in the UK (ASH survey, 2023)
• Vape shops have more than doubled across Europe since 2016
• In countries with supportive approaches like the UK, smoking rates have dropped faster

Turns out vapers are a determined bunch – we find ways to make it work even with the restrictions.

Quick Tips for Dealing with TPD Rules

After years of navigating these rules, here's what works best:

• Use shortfills for your everyday vaping – cheaper and less wasteful
• Get a pod system or small tank with easy refilling for when you're out
• If you're just switching from smoking, you might need to vape more frequently to compensate for the nicotine limit
• Understanding MTL and DTL Vaping can help you choose equipment that works better with TPD restrictions
• Stock up on your favorite juices – 10ml doesn't last long!
• Check the local rules before traveling with your vape in Europe

What To Do Now?

Now you understand why Europe's vaping scene is the way it is, here's what to do next:

1. Have a look at our shortfill range – they're the best way to deal with the bottle size limits
2. If you travel in Europe, check our country guides to avoid nasty surprises
3. For new vapers: consider starting with a pod system that's easy to use within TPD rules
4. Get in touch if you're struggling with the nicotine limit – we've got tips that might help