Countdown to Crises: The UK’s Disposables’ Vape Ban (Part 2)

A balanced approach to vape regulation is essential to protect public health and preserve the UK's hard-won progress toward a smoke-free future, yet seems to be off the cards.

As the UK edges closer to implementing a nationwide ban on disposable vapes on June 1, 2025, a growing chorus of concern is emerging from the tobacco harm reduction community. New survey data and policy analyses suggest that the upcoming restrictions—though aimed at curbing youth vaping and minimizing environmental waste—could inadvertently push thousands of adult vapers back to combustible tobacco, undermining the country’s goal of becoming smoke-free by 2030.

A recent survey commissioned by Vape Shop, polling 750 adult vapers across the UK, paints a concerning picture: more than 42% of respondents stated they would consider returning to smoking if all vaping products were banned. Alarmingly, 17% said they’d likely resume smoking following the introduction of new taxes on vaping products, due in October 2026.

These statistics highlight the essential role vaping continues to play in the quit journeys of many former smokers.

From progress to peril
Vaping has long been a cornerstone of the UK’s progressive tobacco harm reduction strategy. In fact, 44% of those surveyed said they turned to vaping specifically to quit smoking. However, with the looming ban on disposable devices—a popular choice due to their ease of use and flavour variety—some users are left uncertain about the future of their cessation efforts. While 52% of participants already use refillable and rechargeable devices, nearly half (48%) still rely on disposables or semi-disposables, indicating a significant user base potentially affected by the impending restrictions.

++These findings are not isolated. A separate report by the Future Health Research Centre estimates that the ban could drive between 90,000 and 200,000 individuals back to cigarettes, raising the national smoking rate by up to 0.4 percentage points. The analysis, based on a broader sample of 4,300 adults, underscores the scale of the challenge: nearly half of all vapers use disposable products, particularly among the 18 to 24 age group.

The study projects that while up to 1.36 million people may switch to other forms of vaping, a sizeable group—between 175,000 and 378,000—might stop vaping altogether. Without proper support and guidance, many of these individuals could relapse into smoking, undoing years of public health progress.

Cost is another concern. One in five Vape Shop survey respondents expressed anxiety about the rising price of vaping post-ban, while 11% feared the growth of a black market. Unregulated vape products not only pose significant safety risks but could also undermine the very public health objectives the ban seeks to achieve.

Flavoured e-liquids represent another point of friction. Although 33% of vapers said they would continue vaping even if flavours were outlawed, 23% admitted they would likely return to smoking in the absence of flavour variety—a powerful testament to the role flavours play in smoking cessation and sustained abstinence.

Tobacco harm reduction advocates have been consistently urging policymakers to take note of such data and rethink the ban’s implementation strategy. Rather than outright prohibition, they suggest a more balanced approach focused on regulation. Proposals include mandatory age verification systems, tighter controls on packaging and flavour labeling, and clearer guidelines for product displays.

Moreover, experts are calling for immediate public education efforts. Commissioned by Kenvue (interestingly the parent company of Nicorette), the Future Health report recommends a national anti-smoking media campaign to accompany the rollout of the ban. It also suggests setting formal targets to reduce youth vaping rates and increasing investment in evidence-based cessation tools like nicotine replacement therapies.

Failing adults to protect teens
There is broad consensus that protecting young people from nicotine addiction is critical. However, many in the harm reduction space argue that the answer lies in smarter regulation, not blanket bans that risk alienating adult users who have successfully quit smoking with the help of these products.

This delicate balance is further complicated by the UK’s environmental motivations behind the ban. With an estimated 5 million single-use vapes discarded each week, addressing the ecological impact is undoubtedly important. But it must be done without jeopardizing public health. Sustainable alternatives, such as refillable devices and battery recycling schemes, could offer a dual solution that addresses environmental concerns while preserving harm reduction pathways.

Saving the Environment, losing smokers.. can’t we strike a balance?
Adding further depth to the conversation, Clive Bates, a prominent voice in tobacco harm reduction, tweeted that the ban is an interference in the way 2.6 million smokers have chosen to quit. Bates had previously acknowledged the legitimate environmental rationale behind phasing out disposables in favour of reusable products. However he had reiterated that such a policy must not drive users back to smoking. Moreover, he had emphasized the risk of an expanding illicit market if banned products remain in demand, noting that illegal sales would escape recycling requirements and manufacturer responsibility.

Bates had proposed an alternative policy approach: removing the outdated 2 ml tank size restriction currently enforced under the UK’s legacy from the 2014 EU Tobacco Products Directive. He pointed out that countries like the US and Canada permit tank capacities four to five times larger, which reduces waste by minimizing the number of devices a user consumes. Eliminating this limit in the UK, he argued, would not only curb environmental harm but also weaken the appeal of the illicit market.

“I am optimistic that the industry will respond with new designs to make complaint reusable devices with many of the attractive features of disposable single-use devices. However, the baseless and unnecessary 2 ml tank size limit will remain a barrier to reducing waste and controlling illicit trade,” Bates told Vaping Post at the time.

While not long ago, former public health minister Steve Brine, emphasized that smoking remains the UK’s leading cause of preventable illness and death. With this in mind, any policy that potentially increases smoking prevalence—even unintentionally—must be carefully reconsidered, he insisted. Brine and others advocate for a strategy that informs and supports adult vapers, ensuring they do not return to more harmful tobacco use out of confusion, inconvenience, or lack of access.

Navigating regulation without sacrificing public health
The critical window for the UK Government to recalibrate its approach is coming to a close. However, tobacco harm reduction experts highlight that by prioritizing education, access to alternatives, and regulatory precision over prohibition, policymakers could protect both youth and adult populations—steering the country closer to its Smoke-Free 2030 vision without losing the ground it has fought hard to gain.

For those committed to reducing tobacco-related harm, the message is clear: the path forward must be evidence-led, user-informed, and grounded in a realistic understanding of nicotine use in the modern world. The challenge is significant—but so is the opportunity to get it right.