What are the benefits and downsides of single use vapes?
Disposable vapes are at the forefront of headlines worldwide, but why? The main reasons are the environmental impact and uptake by underage vapers. These kits do have their benefits and are a valid stop smoking tool. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of disposable vapes.
What are disposable vapes?
Disposable vapes are useable straight out of the box. They come precharged and prefilled with 2ml of liquid. This translates to around 600 puffs, which last most vapers a day of use. These devices have strong flavours and there are hundreds to choose from.
Popular brands include VLTZ, Elf Bar and SKE Crystal.
What are the benefits of disposable vapes?
Smoking cessation
Disposable vapes are a great stop smoking tool. They’re cheap, meaning smokers can try vaping without committing to the cost of a starter kit and e-liquid. Also, disposables are available in a range of strengths and flavours. This includes tobacco and menthol, perfect for new users transitioning from cigarettes.
Convenience
Disposable vapes are small and lightweight, which makes them ideal for carrying around. This makes them popular temporary or back up devices for existing vapers. They can be taken on a night out without the fear of losing or breaking them. Also, since they’re pre filled and charged, they remove the need to carry around extras like e-liquid bottles.
What are the downsides of disposable vapes?
Environmental Concerns
The first issue with using disposables is the environmental cost. Each device contains a lithium battery, which can cause a lot of damage to local ecosystems if not properly disposed of. Also, if they’re thrown into household waste, they can be a fire risk. Damaged batteries can combust, which is especially dangerous to workers at waste management facilities.
Cigarette butts and packaging are the most common things littered in public areas. But, disposables are a growing concern, with various parks across the UK finding them discarded.
Youth Vaping
A growing concern is the number of underage vapers that are using disposables. They’re cheap enough for them to be able to afford and are being sold in numerous shops across the country. Alarmingly, some sweet shops have even been found selling them. The availability and illegal sale by certain retailers is the main reason that disposables are so accessible to children. If these devices were more strictly regulated, similar to alcohol or cigarettes, then this problem could be addressed.
Although vaping is 95% healthier than smoking, it was never designed to be aimed at children. E-cigarettes were developed to help adults break free from the chains of tobacco use and switch to a safer alternative.
Illegal devices
The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) regulate vaping standards and keep users safe. This includes limiting tank sizes, e-liquid contents and nicotine strength.
The maximum tank size is 2ml, meaning that most devices that are more than this are illegal to sell. One exception to this is the IVG 2400, which includes 4 2ml tanks. This kit was designed to help reduce the environmental impact of disposable vapes and is compliant with the TRPR.
Some illegal vapes that are sold have strengths as high as 50mg (5.0%), more than double the 20mg (2.0%) maximum enforced by the law. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and levels this high can be a real problem.
The media has highlighted several tests which have been made on illegal devices. They were found to contain harmful chemicals such as heavy metals. This is why it’s extremely important to buy disposables from reputable retailers.
Popular disposables
Elf Bar 600 V2
Puffs | 600 |
Flavours | 28 |
Price | £4.99 3 for £12 5 for £19 |
IVG 2400
Puffs | 2400 |
Flavours | 35 |
Price | £12.99 |
Lost Mary BM600
Puffs | 600 |
Flavours | 29 |
Price | £4.99 3 for £12 5 for £19 |
Disposable Alternatives
Those are the pros and cons of disposable vapes. Single use kits are good, but they’re the most expensive way to vape. This means that they’re not very sustainable in the long term. But what’s the next step after them?
The first option is to switch to a pre filled pod kit. These work the same as disposables but you keep and recharge the battery, only disposing of the pods. So not only are you cutting your vaping costs in half, but it’s much better for the environment.
The next alternative is to use an open tank kit and bar salts. These liquids mimic the same intensity as disposables but are available in 10ml bottles. This is even greater value for money, as each is the same as 5 single use kits.
Pre filled pod kits
VLTZ flex
Battery | 900mAh |
Flavours | 20 |
Price | £5.99 |
ELFA Pro
Battery | 500mAh |
Flavours | 34 |
Price | £5.99 |
Crystal Plus
Battery | 400mAh |
Flavours | 15 |
Price | £7.95 |
Bar salts
VLTZ E-liquid
PG:VG | 60/40 |
Flavours | 24 |
Price | £4.99 3 for £10 |
ELFLIQ
PG:VG | 50/50 |
Flavours | 34 |
Price | £3.99 4 for £9.99 |
ELUX Legend Nic Salts
PG:VG | 50/50 |
Flavours | 36 |
Price | £3.99 3 for £10 |
Great kits to use with bar salts
Joyetech WideWick Air
Battery | 800mAh |
Type | disposable pod |
Price | £9.99 |
Eleaf IORE Prime
Battery | 900mAh |
Type | disposable pod |
Price | £19.99 |
OXVA XLIM Pro
Battery | 1000mAh |
Type | disposable pod |
Price | £24.99 |
Those are the pros and cons of disposable vapes. If you need help choosing your next disposable or with anything else vape related, feel free to contact us.