The upcoming UK ban on disposable vapes could have only a “limited impact” on the number of people vaping, researchers say.
A new study by University College London reveals there has been a “shift away” from single-use devices ahead of the ban taking effect on June 1. However, it says more people are simply opting for refillable vapes.
The report, funded by Cancer Research UK, also suggests the rapid rise in overall vape use seen in Britain in recent years has already “stalled.” It warns that “stricter policy options” under review in the controversial Tobacco and Vapes Bill could have unintended consequences by stopping smokers from using vapes to quit the far more harmful habit.
Smoking kills around eight million people globally per year, including around 1.3 million from secondhand smoke exposure. Vapes, which do not cause any tobacco-related illnesses, are proven to be one of the most effective tools for helping smokers quit.
Tobacco and Vapes Bill includes tougher restrictions
Disposable vapes are set to be banned in the UK under environmental legislation. Meanwhile the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently being considered in the House of Lords, includes powers to heavily restrict the packaging, marketing and flavours of vapes.
The latest research used the ‘Smoking Toolkit Study’ to analyse survey data collected from 88,611 adults (aged 16 and over) in England, Scotland and Wales between January 2022 and January 2024.
During this period, vaping rates increased from 8.9 per cent to 13.5 per cent.
When the disposable vape ban was announced in January 2024, more than four in 10 (43.6 per cent) people who vaped mainly used disposables. This had fallen to less than a third (29.4 per cent) a year later, with the decline steeper among 16 to 24-year-olds.
Disposable ban could have “limited impact”
Lead author Dr Sarah Jackson, of the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, said: “Our results also suggest that the Government’s ban on disposables, coming into force in June, may have limited impact on vaping rates in general, given that vapers are already moving away from disposable vapes.
“It seems likely that people using these products will move to reusable versions rather than stop vaping completely.”
Vaping rates have already “stalled”
Researchers suggest “recent increases in vaping prevalence in Great Britain [have] stalled”.
The study said: “After the new policy measures were announced in January 2024, trends in current vaping prevalence changed. Among both adults and young adults, prevalence was no longer increasing and instead remained relatively stable.”
Dr Jackson added: “Action is likely still required to reduce high vaping rates, but now that the situation has stabilised, policymakers may be reassured that it would be sensible to avoid stricter policy options currently under review.
“Some of the options being considered may be more likely to have the unintended consequence of deterring smokers from using vapes to quit smoking.”
Cutting smoking ‘should be number one priority’
Professor Jamie Brown, also of the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, said: “While it is understandable that policymakers want to take action to reduce vaping among children and never smokers, smoking remains the number one public health priority.
“These findings should reassure policymakers that they can prioritise measures, such as restrictions on marketing, packaging and display, which are least likely to undermine how helpful vapes are for people trying to quit smoking.
“It is important that these measures are introduced alongside other messaging and policies that continue to encourage and support smokers to quit smoking, such as mass media campaigns and the swap to stop scheme.”
Commenting on the findings, Caroline Cerny, deputy chief executive of public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: “This data indicates that the Government’s action on vaping is starting to shift both business practices and consumer behaviour.
“That’s a positive sign and shows that the planned regulations have potential to tackle the trend in youth vaping.
“At the same time, it’s important to strike the right balance: protecting young people while still supporting adults to stop smoking. With well-designed policies, we can achieve both.”
3 million smokers have quit using vapes
Gillian Golden, chief executive of the Independent British Vape Trade Association, said: “We welcome the good news that many vapers are already moving away from ‘disposable’, single-use devices ahead of the June ban.
“We echo calls by the researchers for regulators to think very carefully about applying further restrictions on vaping before current and forthcoming regulations have fully taken effect.
“Vaping is not recommended for non-smokers, and sales to under 18s have been banned for a decade now.
“Nearly three million people in Britain have successfully quit smoking using vapes in the last five years, and there still are almost six million adults in the UK who could benefit from switching to a proven safer alternative.”
A Government spokesperson said: “This study provides promising evidence that the rise in vaping amongst young people has stalled. The health advice is clear that whilst vapes can be an effective quit aid for adult smokers, children and non-smokers should never vape.”
