The Dark Side Of Disposable Vapes

Disposable vapes have grown massively in popularity in recent years. The strong flavours and high hits of nicotine have users coming back for more. But there is a dark side to this fad that’s causing concern through out the electronic cigarette industry.

What Are Disposable Vapes?

Disposable Vapes are exactly what the name suggests; they’re electronic cigarettes that are thrown away once the e-liquid or the battery runs out.

Convenient eh?

They come equipped with a single charge battery and a pre-filled tank of e-liquid. The e-liquid is usually high strength, 18mg or 20mg, nicotine salts, which provide a very strong hit and a lot of flavour.

So What’s Wrong With Disposable Vapes?

So now we know what a disposable vape is, what is the actual issue with them?

Litter, Waste and The Environment

Unfortunately the very nature of disposable vapes is part of the problem. In a world where many people and companies are looking forwards to a more environmentally friendly future, we’re still producing convenience products en-masse. And where there’s convenience, there’s a lack of care.

All you have to do is look at the floor or the side of the road and you’ll notice used and discarded single use vape pens littering the streets.

And then there are the ones you don’t see. Most people are considerate enough to throw their rubbish in the bin, but even in that case, they just end up in landfill. This is where the plastics, left over e-liquid and the acid and metals of the batteries leach into the soil, leaving a lasting impact on the local environment.

Surely there has to be a better way to dispose of these? Thankfully, there is and, the Recycle Your Electricals website has a postcode checker to help you find a vape recycling centre near you.

Nicotine Salts Are Not For Everyone

As I mentioned earlier, most disposable vapes use nic salts to provide a faster, stronger hit of nicotine. And the vast majority come in the highest strengths. As I mentioned in my previous article: “Nic Salts Aren’t For Everyone“, they can cause some nasty and painful side effects.

Disposable Vapes Are Attracting Under Age Vapers

With bright colours, intense flavour and an exciting rush to the head, disposable vapes are as much a fashion statement as cigarettes used to be. This has a tendency to attract younger people, especially when compared to the bland and off putting packaging used for tobacco products.

Sure, many of us used to smoke underage, myself included, and vaping is generally accepted as being a lot healthier. But the nicotine content in a disposable vape, when compared to cigarettes, is so high it’s dangerous. It can easily result in nicotine poisoning which is unpleasant at best.

Worst of all, some unscrupulous manufacturers have been designing their products to specifically target children, with criminal shop owners blatantly breaking the law to sell them to under age vapers. This recent article on the Middlesbrough Council Website highlights the issue clearly.

Will Disposable Vapes Be Banned?

As a massive fan of vaping, it seems a little hypocritical for me to be calling for a ban on this element of the industry. But considering all of the points above, how could I not?

Campaigners across the UK are now calling for a ban. I’ve looked for some indication on the government’s stance on the matter, but for now I can’t find any evidence of anything in the pipeline.

Looking further afield though, an Irish minister of state, Ossian Smyth has been making moves towards making a ban a reality within the green isles borders.

Who knows what the future holds. If you want to share your thoughts on the matter, then follow @VapeGeezer on Twitter and drop me a message there.

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Featured Image by Lemkhanzar.