The disposable vape scene is booming. In fact, the number of vapers who use disposables has risen from 2.2% in 2021 to 15.2% in 2022.¹ While these in-demand devices have become a top trend in the vaping world, are disposable vapes safe? 

Here, we'll take you through the ins and outs of disposable vapes. Find out exactly what these devices are, how they work, and learn about some of the common safety concerns around using them.

What are Disposable Vapes and How Do They Work?

Disposable vapes are non-rechargeable vape devices. They only last for a certain amount of time, the exact amount depending on personal usage. There are lots of disposable vapes available in the UK, which come pre-filled with a range of e-liquids, and with this, a variety of flavours and nicotine strengths (up to 20 mg). Get a feel for the different types available at vaping.com, here. 

Disposable vapes are battery-powered. This battery heats up the coil in a prefilled pod, which vaporises the e-liquid, and this creates the flavoured vapour you inhale. These popular devices are draw-activated with typically no set-up required, making them easy to use.

Thanks to their simplicity, you don't need a lot of vaping knowledge to use these devices. This makes them a great option for first-time vapers making the transition from smoking. You can use them to test out vaping before committing to a more long-term, vape starter kit. 

How long a disposable vape lasts will depend on the user. Everyone's vaping experience is unique, and how much a person vapes can have an effect on how long the disposable lasts.

Are Disposable Vapes Safe?

In the UK, there are regulations for vapes on the market.² These regulations ensure that all vaping products meet certain safety and quality standards.² 

The long-term effects of vaping, including disposable vapes, aren't yet known, as the product hasn't been around long enough to determine this.³ However, it's still known to be 'substantially less harmful' than smoking cigarettes.³ In fact, the Office for Health Improvements and Disparities has stated that vaping is "at least 95% less harmful than smoking".⁴

Smoking exposes users to harmful substances, including tar and carbon monoxide.⁵ Tobacco smoke also contains nicotine, which is addictive, however, the NHS states that it's still relatively harmless, and can be effective as a tool for stopping smoking.^{3, 5 & 6}

Disposable vapes, and vapes in general, usually contain nicotine, but they don' produce tar or carbon monoxide - two of the most harmful substances in tobacco smoke.⁵ What's more, you can also get nicotine-free vapes, which don't contain any nicotine at all. Find out more about these products in our guide "Are Nicotine-Free Vapes Safe?". 

Which Disposable Vape is Right for Me?

The best disposable vape for you will depend on what you want from your vaping experience. Before deciding on a product, it's good to ask yourself, what am I looking for in a vape? 

If you're on this page, odds are you're curious about disposable vapes, but why is that? Are you only just considering making the switch from smoking to vaping and want to test the waters first before committing to a rechargeable vape kit? Perhaps you're looking for something that's convenient and ready to use as soon as you buy it. Or maybe you like the look of the flavours available in popular disposable products, like a Lost Mary and want to explore what else this category has to offer. Figuring out exactly what you're looking for can be a huge help when deciding the right vape for you. 

A More Eco-Friendly Disposable Vape

If filling a vape just isn't an option, consider the Offstamp SW series. Off Stamp vapes perform identically to a typical disposable. You purchase the kit, snap the halves together and vape.

Off Stamp Vapes

Off Stamp Vapes saves money and reduces waste when the product is empty. At that point you detach the larger battery with the electronics and pitch the disposable half- which has the mouthpiece, holds the e-liquid and a has a 200mAh battery that is useful for when you are charging the main 900mAh battery charging device. 

A purely refillable vape starter kit is less wasteful obviously but reusing the largest battery and using it as a charging dock for what essentially functions like a disposable pod does save functioning rechargeable batteries from heading straight to the landfill. 

Sources:

1. Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nicotine-vaping-in-england-2022-evidence-update/nicotine-vaping-in-england-2022-evidence-update-main-findings 
2. Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-cigarettes-regulations-for-consumer-products 
3. NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/vaping-to-quit-smoking/ 
4. VApril: https://vapril.org/is-vaping-safe/ 
5. NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/using-e-cigarettes-to-stop-smoking/ 
6. NHS Inform: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/stopping-smoking/reasons-to-stop/tobacco