Disposable vapes in the UK

About the study 

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), also known as vapes, are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid, usually containing nicotine, creating a vapour for users to inhale. Disposable e-cigarettes - single use, pre-filled devices that are ready to use from the point of purchase and require no charging or refilling appear to be popular among younger adults due to their low cost, ease of use, and range of flavours. Adults across the UK were asked for their views of disposable vapes and e-cigarettes, in a context in which the UK government announced its intention to legislate to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes. It was important to explore how a balance can be achieved between protecting young people and people who have never smoked from starting to use e-cigarettes, and supporting adults who may wish to use them as a smoking cessation aid. 

Findings

Disposable e-cigarettes seem to provide an effective and important alternative to smoking tobacco for some. The close similarities between smoking and vaping can make disposable e-cigarettes an effective cessation tool, though dual use and switching between tobacco and e-cigarettes is also reported. Their convenience and lower cost relative to cigarettes make them accessible – more so than refillable e-cigarettes that cost more initially and are less easy to use. The perceived attractive appearance and relative social acceptance also make disposable e-cigarettes appealing to use and try, which is viewed positively for adults trying to quit smoking; however, there is major concern about their uptake by young people. Similarly, potential negative health and environmental impacts of disposable e-cigarettes were notable concerns voiced by the participants and reasons for supporting measures to reduce uptake in young people and the resultant environmental waste. 

In the advent of a ban on disposable e-cigarettes It is unclear whether people currently using disposable e-cigarettes are more likely than they would have been to quit both tobacco and e-cigarettes entirely, switch to using refillable e-cigarettes or revert to smoking tobacco.. The people at highest risk of reverting to sole state tobacco use appear to be those who currently both smoke and use e-cigarettes. 

A wider package of measures should be introduced to encourage smoking and vaping cessation, such as recent policy changes announced by the UK Government including the ‘age of sale escalator’ for tobacco, and increased funding and support for smoking cessation services and Trading Standards departments.  

Methodology 

In-depth interviews with 40 study participants with different histories of smoking and disposable e-cigarette use to explore their experiences and views of disposable e-cigarettes. The majority of respondents were of a ‘white’ background, with overall representation from a range of ethnic groups. The sample had a broadly equal gender split and included 18 participants from lower socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds and 22 from higher SES. 

Participants from four groups of interest were recruited for this study: 

• People who use/d disposables with the intention to quit or reduce smoking, including people who smoke and use disposable e-cigarettes (dual users) (n=11), 
• People who use/d disposable e-cigarettes and have quit smoking (n=9),
• People who have never smoked and use disposable e-cigarettes (n=11), and 
• People who smoke and do not use/have never used disposable e-cigarettes (n=9).