No More Disposable Vapes
Disposable vapes such as Elf Bars have gained popularity for their convenience and low costs, but their environmental impacts are impossible to ignore. It is time to break free from the disposable vape trend and make a conscious choice for a better future. This blog discusses the urgent need to avoid disposables and explore alternative options prioritising sustainability and responsible vaping practices. Let’s pave the way for a cleaner and safer vaping experience.
Better for Quitting Smoking / Reducing Nicotine Intake
One of the main reasons people should be vaping in the first place is to QUIT smoking or using nicotine products. Disposable vapes have fewer options for the strengths of nicotine available, making it harder to reduce your nicotine consumption. Puff counters on mod devices also mean you can track your nicotine intake, unlike with most disposables. When the ultimate goal is quitting, having less nicotine in the devices is extremely important and UK regulations allow for no more than 2ml. Imported disposable brands (most if not all the disposable market) have capacities over the 2ml regulations, meaning they can register their disposable for the legal limit of 2ml, with a design loophole that allows the devices to include more than the 2ml of nicotine. We found this out when we were speaking to a Chinese manufacturer who offered us a 3.5ml disposable. E-liquids from companies like DV Original are UK-made, trusted and registered with TPD.
Environmental Impact
As a single-use product, disposables contribute significantly to the growing global waste crisis, with approximately 1.3 million disposable vapes being discarded weekly in the UK. Unfortunately, recycling initiatives for the devices are inadequate due to lithium batteries and the non-recyclable plastics they contain. As a result, disposables pollute landfills, oceans and natural habitats, exacerbating our environmental crisis. It is crucial to embrace reusable alternatives to combat the environmental damage caused by disposable vapes. Stop supporting companies producing disposable vapes like Elf Bar and opt for brands and companies committed to offering reusable options like DV Original. By transitioning to reusable vape devices, such as refillable pods, we can significantly reduce waste generation and minimise our carbon footprint.
Design Improvements
Apart from the environmental impacts, disposable vapes have also raised concerns about health and safety. Disposable vapes like Elf Bars are fire hazards due to the lithium battery they contain. There have been cases across the UK where lithium batteries in vape pens overheat and combust, such as in Preston, where a fire started in a waste transfer centre which was hazardous to workers, caused significant disruptions in operations and required the attention of emergency services for over three hours. By transitioning to reusable vapes, we can prioritise well-being by protecting others in our communities from the hazardous nature of disposable vapes. In addition, tanks and batteries are separated in traditional vaping mods, with sealed-off compartments meaning there’s less chance of contamination – something which has been reported as an issue with disposables.
Underage Vaping Culture
Disposable vapes are increasingly popular among an under-18 audience due to their affordability and convenience, despite being a nicotine substance only legally purchasable by adults. Younger people are asking older friends to buy disposable vapes, purchasing them online or even trying to get served themselves because of the addictive nature of nicotine, creating a popular vaping culture among children. According to NHS Digital data, one in five 15-year-olds were vaping in 2021, with numbers now expected to be higher. While the long-term effects of vaping are unknown, inhaling any substance at a young age can severely harm developing lungs, so children must be discouraged from vaping.
It is time to bid farewell to disposable vapes and embrace a sustainable vaping revolution. By choosing reusable vape devices like our Argus Z Pod kit instead of Elf Bars, you can help combat the environmental crisis, mitigate health risks and discourage underage vaping.