Nearly one in five (18 per cent) people who use disposable vapes say they will return to smoking following the ban, a new poll has revealed.
Yorkshire Cancer Research, which commissioned the survey, is calling on the government to ensure vapes remain accessible and affordable to people who want to quit smoking.
“We must ensure that the transition away from disposable vapes does not lead to an increase in smoking,” said Dr Stuart Griffiths, Director of Research, Policy and Impact at Yorkshire Cancer Research.
“It’s crucial that people are provided with the best possible support and tools to move from smoking to less harmful alternatives.”
The charity – a long-time supporter of vaping as a smoking cessation tool – says safeguarding access to vapes is particularly important for disadvantaged communities who may rely on disposables due to cost or housing instability.
Dr Griffiths said: “Disposable vapes are often used by people on no or little incomes who may find the initial expense of a starter kit too great, or struggle to keep a vape charged if they do not have reliable and consistent accommodation.
“Since smoking and smoking-related cancers disproportionately affect people from disadvantaged backgrounds, there is a real risk that the ban on disposable vapes could negatively affect efforts to address health inequalities.”
Before the ban, disposable vapes were used by nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of vapers in Yorkshire, according to a YouGov poll.
Evidence supports vaping for quitting
A recent trial by Yorkshire Smokefree Calderdale, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, showed vaping alone helped 79 per cent of participants quit smoking – outperforming nicotine replacement therapy (73 per cent) and behavioural support (71 per cent).
Yet despite clear evidence that vaping does not cause tobacco-related illness such as cancer, public misconceptions persist. Shockingly, 59 per cent of Yorkshire residents surveyed believe vaping is as harmful or worse than smoking. Experts argue this misunderstanding could undo years of progress in reducing smoking-related cancers.
Dr Griffiths said: “We urge the Government to provide adequate funding for effective stop smoking support services that offer access to vape products, and specifically to ensure that whenever someone who smokes uses NHS services, they are automatically offered stop smoking support.”
What now for vapers?
On June 1, selling or supplying single-use vapes became illegal in the UK, with fines of up to £200 and potential prison time for repeat offenders. The ban includes all vapes that cannot be recharged or refilled.
However, new data from Confused.com suggests the ban may not be the deterrent the government hoped for. Just under 40 per cent of vapers say they plan to quit entirely, but many more will either switch to refillables (24 per cent) or other nicotine products (18 per cent).
A smarter approach
Yorkshire Cancer Research supports new powers in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to control the in-store display of vape products, particularly to protect children.
But Dr Griffiths warns this must be balanced with positive, science-based public messaging that distinguishes the dramatically lower risk of vaping compared to smoking.
He said: “Ministers should use powers granted by the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to move vaping products to behind the counter locations in retail shops. This can help keep vapes out of the hands of children by preventing vapes from being displayed alongside toys and sweets.
“However, given the proportion of people in Yorkshire who think that vaping products are equally or more harmful than cigarettes it is important that, if vaping products are moved behind the counter, marketing positively highlights the difference in risk between smoking and vaping”
