Disposable e-cigarettes are at the forefront of discussions surrounding public health and environmental concerns. These devices, especially popular among adolescents and young adults, have surged in use over the last few years. This article explores the rapid rise of disposable e-cigarettes, their appeal, and the potential dangers they pose to individuals and the environment.

The Growing Popularity of Disposable E-Cigarettes

Disposable e-cigarettes quickly gained traction worldwide, particularly after 2021, due to their ease of use, affordability, and attractive flavour profiles. Unlike earlier vaping devices found mainly in specialist vape shops, disposables are readily available in supermarkets, convenience stores, and online. Their accessible nature makes them especially appealing to younger individuals, including those who have never smoked before.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) underscores this concerning trend, noting that “disposable e-cigarettes are now the most used product among current vapers, up more than 7-fold from 7% in 2020 and 8% in 2021, to 52% in 2022” (Source: ASH). Studies reflect this growing popularity, with brands like Elf Bar dominating the market in regions such as England due to their sweet flavours and packaging designed to attract younger consumers. However, this surge in usage brings serious health and safety concerns.

Health Implications of Disposable E-Cigarettes

One of the primary concerns surrounding disposable e-cigarettes is their accessibility and rising appeal to young people who might otherwise avoid nicotine. Unlike traditional smoking trends, many users of disposable e-cigarettes—including adolescents—report having no prior smoking experience. This shift in nicotine consumption marks a worrying trend.

According to a report from NPR, “the rise in vaping reversed declines in nicotine use among teens and young adults; cigarette smoking has been declining since the late 1990s, but it has been substantially replaced for young people by newer nicotine technologies” (Source: NPR). This replacement effect highlights how disposable vapes, with their strong nicotine concentrations and appealing flavours, contribute to nicotine dependency in younger demographics.

Furthermore, the presentation of flavoured disposables in bright, attractive packaging normalises the behaviour and often masks the severity of their potential health impacts. Youth-targeted marketing campaigns on social media platforms such as TikTok amplify the problem, glamorising vaping and encouraging experimentation.

Environmental Impact of Disposable E-Cigarettes

One of the most visible issues surrounding disposable e-cigarettes is the environmental destruction caused by improper disposal. These single-use products combine lithium-ion batteries, plastics, and other non-recyclable materials, contributing to waste and pollution. Alarmingly, surveys reveal a significant portion of users dispose of these products with regular household rubbish, creating massive environmental and safety hazards.

The improper handling of these devices not only clogs waste streams but also risks fires at recycling and incineration facilities due to the lithium-ion batteries they contain. The growing reliance on disposables represents an unsustainable trend that demands urgent and coordinated global action.

Stricter Regulations and the Call for Research

Given the explosive growth of disposable e-cigarettes, governments worldwide are scrambling to implement regulations. The UK has already announced plans to ban the sale of disposables by June 2025, while Australia has stopped the importation of such devices altogether. These measures aim to curtail their availability, particularly to younger users, and address the mounting environmental repercussions.

Even so, challenges remain. Manufacturers are already pivoting to “reusable disposable” models that mimic single-use designs under the guise of compliance with new regulations. This tactic underscores the urgent need for research and policies to anticipate and adapt to industry tactics. Insightful studies must stay ahead of these trends, focusing on understanding the impact of disposables on broader public health and the environment.

Tackling the Impact of Single-Use Vapes

The rapid rise of disposable e-cigarettes is becoming a serious public health and environmental issue. These single-use vapes are easy to get hold of and cleverly marketed, making them especially appealing to younger people. As a result, more and more young users are picking up nicotine habits at alarming rates. On top of that, the way these devices are thrown away is causing significant harm to the environment.

While some countries are starting to take action to tackle this problem, there’s still a long way to go. Stronger rules, better education, and stricter enforcement are all needed to control the spread of these single-use vapes. By working together, we can protect both people’s health and the planet, shifting the focus from short-term convenience to long-term responsibility.

What You Need to Know – Australian Law

Australia has after much advocacy, and sadly, some compromise introduced clear laws around Vapes and E-Cigarettes. On 1 July 2024, the law changed so that all vapes and vaping products, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not, can only be sold in a pharmacy for the purpose of helping people quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence.

It is illegal for any other business, such as tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores, to sell any type of vape or vape product. 

From 1 October 2024, people 18 years and older can buy vapes from participating pharmacies with a nicotine concentration of 20 mg/mL or less without a prescription, where state and territory laws allow. 

They must talk with the pharmacist before purchasing. This includes:

• discussing the product and dosage
• discussing other options to quit smoking and/or manage nicotine dependence
• providing identification (for proof of age purposes only).

Only one month’s supply can be purchased over the course of one month.

People under 18 years need a prescription to access vapes, where state and territory laws allow, to ensure they get appropriate medical advice and supervision.

People who need vapes with a higher concentration of nicotine than 20 mg/mL also need a prescription, regardless of their age.

Flavours are restricted to mint, menthol and tobacco, and vapes must adhere to plain pharmaceutical packaging standards. 

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is leading the development of these reforms

The new Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023 started from 1 April 2024. The same bans that apply to tobacco advertising and sponsorship will apply to vapes. (Dept of Health & Aged Care) (Source: Wiley Online Library)