Impact of disposable vapes ban a year later
It has been over a year since the introduction of the disposable vapes ban, and data has suggested it may have contributed to an increase in smoking rates across the UK.
Cited as an alignment of approaches across the UK with each nation progressing its own legislation, the ban was introduced to deliver “shared health and environmental benefits” while also providing clarity for businesses which had been selling single use vaping products.
However, new data has suggested that the ban has not worked as intended and has instead pushed some vapers towards illicit products or a return to smoking.
Ahead of the ban coming into effect last June, NR had spoken to a number of retailers across Northern Ireland with many stating they had spent time selling their single use stock in order to avoid commercial losses, while also introducing the new compliant vapes early in an attempt to rebuild customer bases.
Almost all of those we had spoken to had serious concerns about illicit vapes and the increase in black market sales.
Twelve months on, a survey of 6000 adults, conducted by Opinium for ELFBAR has found that one in six of those who previously used single-use vapes had relapsed to smoking or started smoking more, with the survey identifying a gradual increase in smoking prevalence: 16% of respondents say they now regularly smoke, compared with 15% in December 2025 and 14% in December 2024.
However, the survey also found that seven in 10 (72%) of daily vapers had switched to reusable vapes, with 79% buying refills each time, while 77% said reusable products helped them cut back or quit smoking.
Elsewhere, a separate survey from Haypp, found that 35% of respondents said they had purchased a disposable vape since the ban was introduced, indicating an active black market for the product.
The main sources for the purchase of illicit disposable vapes are corner shops/convenience stores (51%); car boot sales/market stalls (35%); independent vape shops (28%) and friends or family members (28%).
Additionally, the survey found that the ban has resulted in some reduced demand for vapes, with 61% of respondents saying they have reduced how much they vape and 8% said they had quite vaping altogether.
The data has highlighted a shift in consumer behaviour, with the survey showing that some vapers have replaced disposable vapes with traditional cigarettes (41%); nicotine pouches/snus (44%); refillable vapes (17%) and chewing tobacco (12%).
“By introducing a blanket ban, the government has inadvertently fuelled the black market and, most concerningly, pushed 41% of those who have reduced their vaping to cigarettes,” said Dr Marina Murphy, Senior Director of Scientific Affairs at Haypp.
“While it is positive to see 44% moving to tobacco-free alternatives such as nicotine pouches, we must acknowledge that the negative outcomes from the ban far outweigh the positive. As the government begins to implement the Tobacco and Vapes Act, the lesson from the disposable vapes ban is that blanket bans do not work.”
