Are People Switching To Refillable Vapes From Disposables?

Over the last two decades, we have seen a rapid evolution in vape kits and how they are used as a method to stop smoking.

Whilst there have been attempts to make alternatives to cigarettes since at least the 1960s with Herbert Gilbert’s uncannily prophetic smokeless cigarette, the modern history of e-cigarettes begins in the mid-2000s.

Since Dr Hon Lik’s groundbreaking patent, inspired partly by a nightmare caused by leaving a nicotine patch on in his sleep, vaping has changed and transformed rapidly as both our understanding of why people smoke has grown and as awareness has increased of vaping as an option.

In 2025, another switch is expected as people make the commitment to themselves to switch from disposable vapes to pod mods, box mods and refillable starter kits, as suggested by a study by University College London.

They have suggested that a trend of people moving away from disposables has been in effect for a long time, but their data has suggested that the number of people using them has halved.

Why is this the case, what are the implications for a smoke-free Britain, and should you make the switch if you primarily use disposable vapes?

Why Are People Switching From Disposable Vapes?

It is important to note a caveat in the UCL study, which is that it only focuses on the primary device people use to vape; many people have a primary, often refillable, e-cigarette that they use and may use disposables as a backup, to carry around so they do not lose their main one, or buy one in a pinch if they lose their original.

It also noted another caveat, which is sometimes assumed to be the main reason people are switching, which is an announcement that “single-use vapes” would be restricted from sale, although this would ultimately be delayed due to a General Election seven months later.

The law as initially announced in January 2024 did not take effect, partially due to the fact the title is a misnomer; disposable vapes cannot be refilled, but given that most of them provide the equivalent number of puffs to a packet of cigarettes, they are almost never simply used once.

Regardless of this, the announcement, delay due to the general election and final phase-out due to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill did not have as significant an effect on vaping as some had initially expected.

Were Vapers Switching Anyway?

The UCL study, which focuses on data from the Smoking Toolkit Study between 2021 and 2025, suggests that the prevailing trend for vapers was away from disposable products in the first place.

This is extremely common in vaping’s short history; the initial trend of cigalike first-generation e-cigarettes which resembled pipes, cigars and cigarettes was quickly replaced by the customisable box mod, which featured bigger tanks, bigger batteries and greater functionality.

This trend towards bigger and better vapes was reversed with the rise of the pod mod, which contributed to a rise in the popularity and awareness of vaping as an option by reducing the size of the unit and simplifying the refilling process.

This reached its logical conclusion with disposable vapes, which did not need any refilling, maintenance or charging at all, but it was only going to be a matter of time before tastes and trends changed again.

Disposable vapes are affordable, but the more you vape and therefore the more of them you buy, the more likely it is that you will save money by switching to some kind of refillable device instead, and as people regularly vape as a tool to stop smoking, the more people realise this.

Should You Switch From A Disposable Vape?

Ultimately, many people are going to switch to different devices throughout 2025, but whether you should use another device will depend in no small part on how much you vape.

If your disposable vape lasts a long time because you only use it very rarely for handling nicotine cravings, you might be able to get away with buying another disposable vape, using it until it runs out and gradually phasing out your nicotine use entirely.

However, if you are regularly using disposable vapes and buy more than one a week, you would most likely save money in the long term by switching to a refillable alternative.

Pod mods are by far the easiest refillable to use but the replacement pods are slightly more expensive, whilst a box mod allows for a greater variety of flavours, nicotine levels and vapour consistencies to be chosen.