Join The Revolution As Vapers Prepare For Age Of Refills
There are now just a few weeks remaining before the ban on single-use disposable vapes comes into effect. If you are a user of these, you can take advantage of the fact by picking up lots of bargains in our clearance sale, but this is also a time to make adjustments to the changing situation and become familiar with reusable vape kits.
Evidence is now emerging that many vapers are doing just that. Research by University College London has provided a fascinating snapshot that has revealed how consumers are responding to the upcoming law change.
The headline finding is that there was a rapid rise in vaping that started in 2021 but has now stalled, which begs the question as to why this is - and what role the upcoming ban might have on it.
The Big Switch From Disposables
Researchers found that in the two years from January 2022, the number of vapers increased by a quarter each year. However, the following 12 months up to January 2025 saw the levels remaining constant.
At the same time, the number of vapers using disposables showed a clear decline after January 2024, especially among younger people. In this period, the proportion of vapers aged 16-24 who relied mostly on disposables fell from 63 per cent to 35 per cent.
The key question concerns what people are doing if they stop using disposables. Are they going back to smoking or giving up vaping altogether? The arithmetic would suggest the latter: if vaping rates are static but disposable use is down, it is obvious that lots of people have been acquainting themselves with reusables.
This view is held by the lead author of the research, Dr Sarah Jackson. She said the findings “suggest that the Government’s ban on disposables, coming into force in June, may have limited impact on vaping rates in general, given that vapers are already moving away from disposable vapes”.
Looking at what will happen next, she remarked: “It seems likely that people using these products will move to reusable versions rather than stop vaping completely.”
Upcoming Ban Has An Impact
Dr Jackson acknowledged that the research did not establish the exact reason for the levelling off of vaping levels, but noted: “We have in the past seen changes in smoking habits before a policy change, with people adapting their behaviour in anticipation of a new policy.”
What this shows is that if you have started trying out vape kits, you are in very good company. Moreover, if you are yet to do so, now is the time to start.
Commenting on the findings, the chief executive of the Independent British Vape Trade Association, Gillian Golden, told Talking Retail: “Most of our members have been encouraging their customers to opt for rechargeable, refillable and/or replaceable pod vapes for some time now.”
She added: “They not only have a lower environmental impact, but are also more cost-effective.”
These are all good reasons for you to make the switch now if you have been using disposables up to this point, rather than waiting until the last possible moment.
Making Sure Vapes Still Help Smokers Quit
However, if you are a smoker, you may have a few questions. Organisations like the NHS have backed vaping as an effective tool for smoking cessation that can help when other options like nicotine patches have failed. Some may wonder if they can manage the jump from smoking to reusable vapes without the instant convenience of disposables.
The research does not directly address this question, but Dr Jackson did suggest that there was a danger that any further restrictions on vaping could deter smokers from switching.
Arguing that the stabilisation of vaping rates should take the wind out of the sails of the anti-vaping lobby, who want more restrictions, she warned: “Some of the options being considered may be more likely to have the unintended consequence of deterring smokers from using vapes to quit smoking.”
Ms Golden echoed this point, urging policymakers not to push for more law changes. She commented: “We echo calls by the researchers for regulators to think very carefully about applying further restrictions on vaping before current and forthcoming regulations have fully taken effect.”
If you are a smoker, you still have the opportunity to use disposable vapes for the time being, but it is also a good idea to try out reusable vapes, so that from June 1st when the disposables ban takes effect, you will be equipped with an effective smoking cessation tool and the knowledge of how to use it repeatedly.
Disposable vapes may be on the way out, but vaping certainly isn’t, so don’t be afraid to adopt it as a means of quitting cigarettes.