Disposable vapes have proven to be a highly effective tool in helping smokers quit, offering convenience, accessibility, and ease of use—particularly for those transitioning away from cigarettes for the first time. However, their popularity comes at a significant environmental cost, as single-use devices generate substantial electronic and plastic waste.
According to new findings by ECigIntelligence, adult vapers in the US and UK are increasingly relying on disposables, even amid growing awareness of their ecological impact. In the US, half of adult vapers listed disposables as their primary device in 2024, a jump from around 30% in 2022. Similarly, in the UK, usage climbed from about 25% to 40% over the same period, even though a nationwide ban on disposable vapes is set to begin on June 1st.
Lifesaver or landfill?
This trend highlights a complex public health dilemma: how to balance smoking cessation support with sustainability, especially as policymakers consider bans and tighter regulations on disposable products. Barnaby Page, editorial director at ECigIntelligence, pointed out the tension in policy efforts: while bans are aimed at reducing teen use, many adult users are have come to find disposables indispensable.
To this effect, many tobacco harm reduction (THR) experts believe that bans on the products are not the answer. Discussing this issue, seasoned expert in the field, Clive Bates, has previously emphasized the need to address the environmental impact of disposable vapes, while questioning whether an outright ban is the best course of action. He told Vaping Post that while he acknowledges the environmental case for encouraging a shift toward reusable devices, a ban could lead to unintended consequences, including a potential rise in smoking or the growth of illicit trade. In such scenarios, he noted, recycling schemes and producer responsibility would be non-existant.
Bates proposed a more pragmatic solution: removing the UK’s 2 ml tank size limit—an outdated restriction carried over from the 2014 EU Tobacco Products Directive. He argued that larger tank sizes, like those commonly found in the US and Canada, reduce waste by extending the lifespan of each device. “The usual tank size in the US and Canada is 4-5 times larger. We should remove that restriction without delay because it drives waste and illicit trade.”
Meanwhile, based on surveys of over 1,000 regular vapers aged 21+ in both 2022 and 2024, the findings from ECigIntelligence‘s longitudinal study indicate shifting attitudes. More vapers now express concern about the waste and health risks tied to disposable products, with fewer believing they come without downsides. Similarly, in the UK environmental worries nearly doubled since 2022.
The growing fallout of single-use devices
On a different note, a new study from University College London suggests that the upcoming UK ban on disposable vapes may ultimately do little to reduce overall e-cigarette use, as many users are already switching to reusable options. Set to take effect in June, besides reducing environmental waste, the ban also aims to curb the appeal of vaping to young people. However, the current study reported that disposable vape use is declining anyway, especially among 16 to 24-year-olds, while overall vaping rates have remained steady since the ban was announced in early 2024.
Lead researcher Dr. Sarah Jackson noted that most vapers appear to be adapting to the imminent ban by choosing reusable products rather than giving up nicotine altogether. In fact adult vaping rose from 8.9% to 13.5%, between 2022 and 2024, while young adult usage increasing significantly from 17% to 26.5%. Funded by Cancer Research UK and based on data from over 88,000+ respondents, the study suggests that while efforts to regulate youth access are important, overly aggressive measures could backfire by discouraging smokers from switching to less harmful alternatives.
A delicate balance
Public health organizations, including Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), have been advocating for a balanced approach—protecting young people without undermining tools that help adults quit smoking. THR experts and industry leaders have also been urging caution, warning against adding more restrictions before current regulations can prove their effectiveness.
However, as disposables continue to serve as an effective off-ramp for adult smokers, their environmental toll presents a growing policy challenge. As public awareness of disposables’ downsides increases, policymakers must strike a careful balance: safeguarding the environment and youth, while preserving access to life-saving alternatives for smokers seeking a healthier path forward.
source：https://www.vapingpost.com/2025/04/25/the-disposable-vapes-dilemma-smoking-cessation-benefits-vs-environmental-costs/
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