The Situation of Disposable Vapes in the UK

In January 2022, online vape platform IndeJuice reported a mindblowing 279% increase in sales of disposable vapes in the final quarter of 2021 when compared to the previous quarter. Flavours including “fruit” and “ice” accounted for 60% of the sales, and Elf Bars, Geek Bars and Solo Bars are among some of the most popular disposable brands available in the appealing flavours.

Being cheap and disposable, therefore a less of a commitment, teens are more likely to purchase a disposable than a regular vape. Adding to the mix their generally bright colours and fruity flavours, tend to give the impression that they are harmless.

In the UK disposable vapes are only allowed at a nicotine limit of 20mg. However vaping products which do not meet UK standards (such as ones having a nicotine content of over 20mg) have been making their way into unsuspecting convenience stores. This is coinciding with the booming demand for the disposable vapes which some sellers have been trying to capitalize on.

In fact, Geek Bar has recently sent letters to trading standards in major UK cities outlining the issue following a number of raids. Geek Bar chief executive Allen Young said that for the problem to minimized, collaboration between different parties, including trading authorities, the vaping industry, retailer trade associations and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, is required.

ASH data revealed significant rise in use

Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) has recently urged local authorities to set in place a £4 excise tax on single disposable vapes in order to deter teens from purchasing them. This was prompted by Ash data showing that 8.6% of 11- to 18-year-olds in England vaped in 2022, compared with 4% in 2021.

Ash chief executive, Deborah Arnott, highlighted that despite safer than cigarettes, vapes are not risk free and teens should not have easy access to them. However, she added,  any regulatory changes should not deter adults from using them as smoking cessation aids.

Similarly, the Local Government Association (LGA) is asking for tighter regulations including restrictions on the display and marketing of the products to match those for tobacco. The LGA highlighted that they have stepped up enforcement in order to catch any retailers selling vapes to minors.

Possible ban on vapes dropped

Meanwhile, a bill to ban disposables was presented to parliament on February 8th and was due for a second reading on March 24th. However the bill never made it to the second reading where MPs would have debated it. ECigIntelligence explained that the bill has little chance of passing given that it is private member’s bill, not a government initiative. Moreover, Junior environment minister Rebecca Pow said the UK government has no plans to ban disposables.

In other news, a recent investigation by the Mail found that one of Elfbar’s models, the ‘600’ line, contained at least 50% over the legal limit of allowed nicotine. A closer look into the products conducted by the Mail on three flavours purchased at Morrisons, Sainsbury and Tesco’s branches in London, Derby and Sheffield, found they contained between 3ml and 3.2ml. The nicotine limit allowed in the UK is 2ml, of which the maximum strength should be 2%.

When approached, the Chinese manufacturer ‘wholeheartedly apologised’, saying that this was not intentional. Despite this Tesco removed the line from its stores, and Morrisons also launched its own investigation into the product. The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) highlighted that ELFBAR was taking the required actions to rectify the situation.