Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Miniciggy, our products, and how we operate. If your question isn't covered below, email us at hello@miniciggy.com and we'll get back to you, usually within an hour and always within 24 hours.

For quick and easy contact you can also message us on Whatsapp +447534453053 or scan the QR code below to open a chat straight away

About Miniciggy

How long has Miniciggy been trading?

Since 2006. We're one of the longest-established e-cigarette retailers in the UK — longer than almost any other brand still trading.

Are you UK-based?

Yes. We're based in Cardiff and we ship from the UK. Our phoneline (0800 0196 445) is staffed Monday to Friday, 10am to 2:30pm, and we answer emails and whatsapp messages seven days a week.

Where are your products made?

Our hardware is manufactured in China to our own specification under the Miniciggy brand. We've used the same supply chain for years, which is part of why we're able to offer the lifetime battery guarantee — we know how the product holds up over time.

Why do you only sell tobacco and menthol?

Because that's what works for our customers. The vape industry spent the last twenty years chasing fruit flavours, sweet flavours, and anything designed to attract people who never smoked. We've never been interested in that market. Miniciggy is for adult smokers looking for an alternative to tobacco — and tobacco and menthol are the flavours that suit that audience.  Here is a short fun video explaining why we never wanted to enter that market - Why Miniciggy

Choosing a Product

I'm new to this — what should I order first?

The Miniciggy Starter Kit. It includes everything you need to get going: a battery, a charger, and a selection of cartomisers in different strengths so you can find the one that suits you. It's the cheapest way to find out whether Miniciggy works for you before committing to a regular routine.

Which nicotine strength should I start with?

A rough guide:

• X-High (18mg/ml) — for heavy smokers, typically those on 20+ a day of regular-strength cigarettes.
• Regular High (18mg/ml) — most common starting point for someone switching from regular-strength cigarettes.
• Medium (11mg/ml) — suits smokers of lighter cigarettes, or those stepping down from higher strengths.
• Low (6mg/ml) — for established users reducing their nicotine intake.
• Menthol (16mg/ml) - Perfect for those switching from menthol cigarettes

If you're unsure, the Starter Kit includes a mix so you can test. You can also email us with your current cigarette type and we'll suggest a starting point.

Tobacco or menthol — which do most customers prefer?

Roughly evenly split. Smokers who prefer menthol cigarettes almost always go for menthol cartomisers. Tobacco cartomisers suit smokers of regular cigarettes. Many customers keep both on hand and alternate.

Can I mix and match strengths in one order?

Yes. Order whatever combination suits you.

Using Your Products

How long does a cartomiser last?

For most users, roughly the equivalent of a pack of 20 cigarettes — though this varies depending on how heavily and how often you use it. Some users get more, some get less.

How much money will I save?
You can use our online cost calculator here to put in how many cigarettes you smoke per day and it will tell you how much you will save by making the switch to Miniciggy.  You will be amazed just how much money you save by switching

How long does a battery last between charges?

A Miniciggy battery typically lasts most of a day on a full charge for the average user. Heavy users may want a second battery so one's always charged. Charging takes around an hour from flat.

Do I need to refill the cartomisers?

No. Miniciggy cartomisers come pre-sealed, ready to use. You attach a cartomiser to a battery, vape until the cartomiser is spent, then swap it for a fresh one. No e-liquid handling, no refilling, no mess.  Designed to be as easy to use as a cigarette

Why does my cartomiser taste burnt?

Usually one of three reasons:

1. The cartomiser is at the end of its life and needs replacing.
2. You're chain-vaping — taking lots of long puffs in quick succession without letting the cartomiser cool. Wait 30 seconds between puffs and it should clear.
3. The cartomiser isn't seated properly on the battery — unscrew it and reattach firmly.

If none of those resolves it, email or whatsapp us and we'll help you work out what's going on.

My cartomiser doesn't seem to be working — what do I do?

Nine times out of ten, the issue is actually with the battery rather than the cartomiser. Try the cartomiser on a different battery if you have one, or a different cartomiser on the original battery. That'll tell you which component is at fault. Email or whatsapp us if you're not sure and we'll talk it through.

Can I leave a battery charging overnight?

We don't recommend it. Miniciggy batteries are designed to charge in around an hour, and modern lithium batteries are best taken off charge once full. Charge during the day where possible.

How do I look after my battery to make it last?

A few simple things:

• Don't leave it on charge once fully charged.
• Don't let it sit completely flat for long periods — top it up regularly.
• Keep it dry and at room temperature.
• Clean the connection point (where the cartomiser screws on) occasionally with a dry cotton bud.  Guidance on simple cleaning here

Treated reasonably, a battery should last 12 months or longer before any noticeable degradation.

Ordering and Delivery

How long does delivery take?

Standard UK delivery is typically within 2 working days from when your order is placed. Orders placed before our daily cut-off ship the same day. Full delivery details and current shipping options are on our Delivery page.

Do you ship outside the UK?

We currently ship within the UK only. International shipping of nicotine-containing products is heavily restricted and we don't currently support it.

Do you ship to Northern Ireland?

Yes, we ship to Northern Ireland. 

Can I track my order?

Yes. You'll receive a dispatch confirmation email with full tracking details once your order is sent.  If you want easier access to a tracking link then just whatsapp us and we will whatsapp the direct link to the tracking

What if my order arrives damaged?

Email us at hello@miniciggy.com or send us a Whatsapp message with your order number and a description of the damage (photos help). We'll sort it rapidly.

Can I order by phone?

Yes. Call 0800 0196 445 Monday to Friday, 10am to 2:30pm. The phoneline is for orders only — for questions, support, or replacement requests, please email or whatsapp us.

Payment

What payment methods do you accept?

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Worldpay-supported cards. Payment options are shown at checkout.

COMING SOON - DIRECT BANK TO BANK PAYMENTS - If you currently use a banking app on your phone this will make ordering even easier and even more secure, no punching in card details.  We will update once this function is live

Is my payment information secure?

Yes. All transactions are processed through secure, encrypted payment gateways. We don't store card details ourselves.

Returns, Replacements, and Guarantees

What's your replacement policy?

Every Miniciggy battery comes with a lifetime free replacement guarantee. If a battery fails, we replace it. Full details, conditions, and how to claim are on our Replacement Policy page.

Can I return cartomisers if I don't like them?

Cartomisers are a consumable product and can't be returned or refunded once opened, for hygiene and safety reasons. The exception is a cartomiser that doesn't work at all from new — in that case, email or whatsapp us and we'll replace it. See our Replacement Policy for full details.

What if my battery stops working?

First call of action is to check our contact point cleaning guide here, this could get you back up and running in minutes rather than awaiting a replacement.  
If after that it still doesn't work Email us at hello@miniciggy.com or whatsapp us with your order details and a brief description of the issue. We'll talk you through the diagnostic steps and, if it's a battery fault, arrange a free replacement under our lifetime guarantee.

How do I claim under the lifetime battery guarantee?

Email hello@miniciggy.com or send us a Whatsapp message Full details on what's covered and how the process works are on our Replacement Policy page.

Regulation and Compliance

Do I need to be 18 to order from Miniciggy?

Yes. By UK law, anyone purchasing nicotine-containing e-cigarettes must be 18 or over. We use age verification at checkout and reserve the right to request additional proof of age.

Are your products legal in the UK?

Yes. All Miniciggy products comply with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR) and are notified to the MHRA before being placed on sale. Our cartomisers contain no more than 20mg/ml nicotine and the maximum permitted volume.

Why did you stop selling disposables?

We didn't — we never sold disposable vapes in the first place. We've only ever sold rechargeable, sealed, non-refillable cigalikes. The UK government banned single-use disposables on 1 June 2025; that ban didn't affect our product range.

What's the maximum legal nicotine strength?

Under UK law, e-liquids containing nicotine cannot exceed 20mg/ml. Our X-High cartomisers sit closest to the maximum legal strength.

Are vapes safer than smoking?

We can't make health claims about our products — UK regulations don't permit retailers to compare vapes and cigarettes in terms of safety. The independent body Public Health England has published research on this topic, and the NHS website provides guidance for smokers considering alternatives. If you're switching for health reasons, we'd recommend speaking to your GP or the NHS Stop Smoking Service for advice tailored to your situation.

Will using Miniciggy help me quit smoking?

Miniciggy cigalikes are not licensed as a smoking cessation product, and we can't claim they help anyone quit. They're an alternative for adult smokers who want something that delivers nicotine without combustion. If you're looking for support to quit smoking entirely, your GP or the NHS Stop Smoking Service can help with licensed cessation products and support programmes.

Switching from Smoking

I've tried vaping before and didn't get on with it. Why try a cigalike?

Most people who've tried vaping and given up have tried pods, mods, or disposables. Cigalikes are a different format — closer in size, feel, and throat hit to a real cigarette. Many smokers who couldn't get on with other vape formats find cigalikes work for them. Our Miniciggy Blog has a longer guide on this.

How does a cigalike compare to a pod or a mod?

Cigalikes are smaller, simpler, and designed to feel like a cigarette. Pods are larger, hold more liquid, and tend to deliver a milder draw. Mods are bigger again, with adjustable settings and refillable tanks. Different formats suit different users — there's a more detailed comparison on our Miniciggy Blog.

Should I switch all at once or gradually?

That's a personal decision. Some people do best switching cold turkey, others taper down by mixing cigarettes and cigalikes for a few weeks. There's no right answer. What matters is finding a format that satisfies you enough that the cravings settle.

Still Have a Question?

Email hello@miniciggy.com — we usually reply within an hour and always within 24 hours.

Or for fast and easy contact you can Whatsapp us on +447534453053 or scan the QR code below to open up a chat with us on your whatsapp

For orders by phone, call 0800 0196 445, Monday to Friday, 10am to 2:30pm.

Try the cost calculator and see for yourself
cost calculator here