The Impact of the 2024 UK Disposable Vape Ban

After a media frenzy surrounding the child vaping scandal, nearly 70% of respondents to a government survey called for a UK disposable vape ban. When will this happen, and who are the groups most affected?

Following research by the Department For Education that found the number of 11-17 year olds using vapes had tripled in the last three years, the government announced their decision to ban disposable vapes outright.

There will be a further regulation of vape flavours and packaging in order to make them less attractive to children. 

In previous years, the government has taken a different view when it comes to vaping.

In Public Health England’s 7th report on UK vaping in 2021, nicotine vaping was found to be the most successful form of nicotine replacement, with quit rates between 59.7% and 74% in 2019 and 2020.

Furthermore, the government has acknowledged vaping as an effective tool in helping to achieve its goal of a smoke-free England by 2030, with a Cochrane review stating that: “people are more likely to stop smoking for at least six months using nicotine e-cigarettes than using nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches and gums”.

While undeniable evidence exists for vaping as a form of nicotine replacement, the government has taken the step to ensure disposable accessibility is impossible; ridding verified retailers of a device which many ex-smokers are in need of. 

With evidence for and against the disposable vape ban, have the government taken into consideration all of the factors?

Illegally Imported Disposable Vapes

One aspect of the argument that hasn’t been considered is that the disposable vape ban could fuel the already existing UK disposable black market.

This is a market that has flooded off licence shops with illegal disposables, and will continue to do so in spite of the ban.

With online retailers requiring third-party age verification in order to place an order on any e-cig product, it’s safe to assume that off licences are where many children have been getting their hands on disposable vapes. The ban will not change this.

So, while many ex-smokers will no longer be able to buy the products they are legally purchasing, children will still have access to disposables in off licences. 

Proactive approaches that need bettering are the stricter enforcement of regulations on imports. A crackdown on the illegal disposable vape market is a must if child vaping is to be completely prevented.

Why are disposables effective at preventing smoking?

Disposable vapes have been so effective at curbing smoking in adults as they’re easy to use, contain a level of nicotine equal to that of a cigarette, and are far cheaper in comparison. 

They are the gateway to the vast world of e-cigarettes, some of which can be much harder to use. And with the disposable vape ban, many of those who successfully use disposables in order to not smoke tobacco will be left with a choice to return to smoking. Certainly, many will revert, as smoking is partly addictive due to its familiarity. 

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities states: “Ensuring vaping devices can continue to be made available to current smokers is vital to reducing smoking rates, and their use contributes to an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 additional fewer smokers per year.”

Many people will likely give up e-cigarette use altogether in the wake of the disposable vape ban, daunted by the prospect of buying a more advanced vape system. 

In an online vape retailers 2023 survey, customers were asked what they would do in the event of a disposable ban. 38.8% said they would go back to smoking cigarettes, while 34.9% said they would find illicit ways to buy their products, highlighting the possible shift toward illegal, unsafe products already.

When will the disposable vape ban come into effect?

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told the BBC she was confident the new bill regarding vapes would pass Parliament by the time of the general election (which is expected to be this year), with it coming into force by early 2025. 

There will be a 6 month grace period for the industry and retailers to phase out disposables and adopt all the regulations set in place.

What vape flavours are being banned?

The new set of vaping regulations will see the banning of refillable flavours allegedly targeted at children.

Furthermore, planer and less appealing packaging will be a requirement for vape companies in order to dissuade children from buying their products.

The government has stated there will be a public consultation into which flavours should be banned and how other vapes will be sold, but it’s likely that vapers will be left with tobacco, menthol and limited fruit flavours.

There is a strong argument to say that banning flavours will take away from the adult appeal to vaping too. 

A survey by another online vape retailer asked customers what they would do if sweet E-Liquid flavours were banned. Nearly 30% of people said that this action alone would cause them to go back to smoking, while 37% would continue with tobacco and menthol flavours. 

In addition to this, according to a 2023 study by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), over 50% of adult vapers prefer sweet E-Liquid flavours.

Are other vapes being banned?

On the contrary. In a world first ‘Swap to Stop’ scheme, 1 in 5 smokers in England are being provided with a free vape starter kit alongside behavioural support to help go tobacco free.

It has been argued that a similar scheme should be implemented for disposable users in the wake of a ban, as many ex-smokers, especially those who have just quit, will likely rely on a disposable vape.

With the NHS concluding that smokers are: “roughly twice as likely to quit smoking if they use a nicotine vape compared with other nicotine replacement products, like patches or gum”, its evident that vaping will still be an integral part of the government goal for a smoke free England by 2030.

Therefore, no, other vapes, or vaping in general, are not being banned. Only disposables.

What vapes can I use instead of disposables?

The closest thing to a disposable vape would be a pre-filled pod kit. These are essentially the same as disposables, except the pod containing the E-Liquid needs to be replaced when it’s done, while the device is kept and not thrown away.

It comes in 2 simple parts that need to be attached (the pod and the device), before simply inhaling on the mouthpiece to begin vaping.

Refillable pod kits are also a good option, and a very cost effective way to vape. Like pre-filled pods, refillable pods come in 2 parts, except when the pod is empty, it must be refilled by an E Liquid, which is purchased separately. 

Go to any verified retailer to get a good rundown of each product.

What can I do about the disposable vape ban?

Many people that have been the beneficiaries of vaping will be affected by the disposable vape ban. Reaching out to members of parliament and advocating for the crackdown of illegal importation, or for stricter regulation rather than an outright ban of disposable vapes might be a good place to start. 

It’s vital not to give up and return to smoking because it’s familiar. Vaping is still seen as a proficient tool in smoking cessation, and there are so many kits available out there that not only resemble the ease of disposables, but are cost efficient, waste efficient, and don’t sacrifice any flavour.

Chat to the NHS about the ‘Swap to Stop’ scheme, or about quitting smoking in general. They will provide starter vape kits to ensure tobacco remains where it belongs: in the past.

Summary

The disposable vape ban will leave a lot of people disappointed. 

An outright ban will be harsh to many, and Chartered Trading Standards Institute are of a similar opinion that clamping down on existing rules and regulations is a better measure than any kind of outright ban. 

There is undoubted proof that a vape is an excellent method of nicotine replacement, yet the UK has failed to balance its social benefits with the fact that they are too easily accessed by children. 

Stricter regulations are needed to dampen vape demands in children, who should be nowhere near any kind of smoking cessation devices. However, making the entire legitimate market illegal will only fill the UK with even more illegal dangerous devices for children to get their hands on.