Disposable vapes for as long as they are available will always be a popular choice regardless of the vapers level, interest in vaping and preference of style. This is because they are so simple to use!
Often compact, very light and user-friendly with no buttons to press, it’s aimed at beginners. Prefilled with e-liquid and pre-charged with a battery installed and ready to go, you don’t need to think about much with a disposable vape.
However, are they better than ‘normal vapes’ that tend to be refillable and a cheaper long-term alternative? To understand both, first, we have to analyse how safe they are in comparison to each other and standard cigarettes containing nicotine.
The Safety of a Disposable Vape Explained
While the market does show examples of illegal disposable vape products that do not match Tobacco Product Directive (TPD) regulations, the majority of businesses that source from respected e-liquid and vape kit manufacturers sell disposable kits that meet industry standards and are safe for vapers to use.
Nevertheless, even with a compliant disposable vape, how safe is it to use compared to a regular rechargeable vape kit? The answer is simple – there is no difference between the two, other than the strength of the nicotine, which you can choose based on personal preference. For instance, most disposable vapes are typically 10mg or 20mg nicotine salt products that are designed to have higher strengths of nicotine but are smoother to inhale than traditional freebase nicotine e-liquids.
Disposable vapes are not considered worse to inhale than other nicotine vape products. However, the higher strength means it may feel too intense for former smokers depending on the frequency that they puff cigarettes. In addition, disposable vapes are considered worse for the environment because they’re single-use kits. Because you need to throw away batteries on a more consistent basis, as well as the plastic casing, it’s frowned upon as more damaging for the planet we live on.
What is Considered an Illegal Disposable Vape?
In recent times we’re seeing more illegal disposable vapes than ever that manage to push through UK customs. Because millions are vaped each week and sold everywhere – from street corner shops to online, it’s difficult to distinguish a real disposable vape that is TPD complaint from a fake product. Examples of bending the rules and selling something illegal include:
- Any vape tank, pod or disposable vape kit that has an e-liquid capacity larger than 2ml
- Any nicotine strength above 20mg
- No e-liquid capacity above 10ml that contains nicotine
- Packages that don’t visibly show nicotine warnings
How Does a Disposable Compare to a Cigarette?
If you inhale any substance into your lungs, it will not positively impact your health. Let’s be clear on that point first. Disposable vapes are designed to help smokers quit with greater ease than a nicotine patch or piece of nicotine gum. Despite attracting negative media attention because of the colours and flavours that attract unnecessary youth, it’s still the closest resemblance and habit to smoking. You take it straight out of the pack and it’s ready to use, and once you’re done just discard it responsibly.
They both contain high levels of nicotine and look similar in stature and feel in your hand, which helps with the transition. Apart from those points, in terms of how it activates and the ingredients inside, it couldn’t be more different. A disposable vape contains nicotine, Propylene Glycol and/or Vegetable Glycerine (both chemicals used in food production), water and sweeteners. In contrast, a cigarette contains thousands of lethal toxins that can prove fatal if used over a long period.
That’s why organisations like the NHS, British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK do not recommend either but suggest if you smoke, e-cigarettes may be one of the best ways to give up smoking.
Final Thoughts
Essentially, disposable vapes and regular e-cigarette kits which you can recharge and reuse do the same thing and carry the same potential to help a person quit smoking. They both contain the chemical nicotine which can cause side effects, but one is not worse than the other.
The main takeaway about disposable vapes which are causing such great debate are the higher cost for the environment and financially for the customer. And that they are acting as an attractive proposition for youth in the UK (with easier access underage) like millions of teens who previously smoked before vaping existed.
Disposable vapes should only be used as an entry into vaping to familiarise yourself with products and help that person over 18 quit cigarettes for good.