Vapers are set to be hit with a new raft of tobacco laws coming into force this weekend.

Those who smoke traditional cigarettes are affected by new rules banning smaller packs and reducing the sale of menthol flavours.

But if e-cigs fans think they’ve gotten away with it - they’ll be surprised to hear vapers WILL be hit by a different part of the law.

We’ve taken a look at the different parts of the Tobacco Products Directive which comes into force on Saturday, May 20.

Is vaping going to be made illegal?

No - vaping will not be banned.

Some have criticised the government, as they believe they’re doing ‘all they can’ to discourage the habit, without actually banning it.

There will, however, be new restrictions on the strength of liquids and limiting the size of tanks.

What are the changes?

Watford Observer:

There are seven new points of law that will come into effect.

  • Restrict e-cigarette tanks to a capacity of no more than 2ml.
  • Restrict the maximum volume of e-liquid for sale in one refill container to 10ml.
  • Restrict e-liquids to a nicotine strength of no more than 20mg/ml.
  • Require nicotine-containing products or their packaging to be child-resistant and tamper evident.
  • Ban certain ingredients including colourings, caffeine and taurine.
  • Include new labelling requirements and warnings.
  • Require e-cigarettes and e-liquids be notified to heath regulators before they can be sold.

What impact will it have on vapers?

Watford Observer: 13-01-2014.OXFORD VAPER, NEW E-CIGARETTES LOUNGE, CORN STREET, WITNEY.Display of e-cigarettes...Copy: Gill Sutherland.Catchline: Vaping story.Length: lead.OX64600  Damian Halliwell..

The main impacts will be weaker strength liquids and smaller tanks.

Manufacturers are concerned about the need to tell the regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, about new products coming onto the market.

They see it as an erosion of the freedom vapers have had until now.

They point out that a lot of what is now law is already carried out on a voluntary basis by reputable dealers and manufacturers.

It's argued that the cost of complying with the new laws will be passed on to vapers.

Will some shops and stalls be forced to close?

The industry fears that the reduction will mean the choice will be massively reduced.

Although manufacturers have had a year to make the changes, they say they’re worried that some customers will have no clue why their vapes are weaker and smaller on May 20.

The advice is to stock up before their favourite vapes are taken off the market.

Many will be selling their old stock right up until the moment it becomes illegal.

How will the behaviour of vapers change?

Watford Observer: Image 1 for Vaper Trails

Some won’t get the same kind of strength they are used to so the expectation is that they will simply buy more of it to get the same kick.

Some companies are selling compliance kits so vapers can check if what they are using passes all the regulations.

Does ANYONE escape?

Yes, they do.

The regulator says: “Products that do not meet the definition (such as disposable e-cigarettes that do not contain nicotine and 0% nicotine e-liquids) are out of scope of the Tobacco Products Directive and do not have to meet its requirements.”