Ban on Disposable Vapes Triggers Concerns of Increased Smoking, as One in Five Vapers Contemplate Switching Back to Cigarettes
Goes to show that the UK's disposable vape ban, starting 1st June 2025, ain't all sunshine and rainbows. The ban is aimed at curbing youth vaping and minimizing environmental waste, but new findings paint a worrying picture. Nearly one in five vapers (19%) are planning to revert to smoking cigarettes once the ban kicks in, a move that could undermine efforts to make the UK smoke-free by 2030.
This revelation comes from a survey conducted by life insurance experts at Confused.com, polling 500 UK adults who vape. It's clear that the upcoming legislation poses complex challenges.
Out of the 1.65 million people in the UK that currently use disposable vapes, 37% are planning to quit vaping altogether. Of those, 18% intend to switch to nicotine alternatives like patches or gum, while 24% are opting for refillable vapes, which remain legal. Alarmingly, 19% say they will return to cigarettes.
Breaking down vaping habits and motivations
The survey reveals that 29% of vapers started to quit smoking and successfully did so, while 46% began vaping with the same intention but continued smoking. This data suggests a 44% increase since 2019 in individuals declaring they smoke or vape on life insurance policies, indicating a rise in these habits.
Age, spending, and regional impacts
A third (33%) of vapers started between ages 18 and 25, while 2% started under 18. Spending varies, with 59% shelling out up to £20 a week on disposables, and 3% dropping an eye-watering £50 or more. Fascinatingly, the 35-44 age group spends the most, with 19% spending up to £30 weekly, and 6% of 25-34-year-olds spending over £50.
The East Midlands boasts the highest percentage of heavy spenders (5% spending over £50 weekly on disposables), while Londoners are the most optimistic about the ban, with 70% believing it will help them cut down or quit. Meanwhile, the North East sees 26% currently trying to quit, with 22% planning to use alternative nicotine products post-ban, the highest rate among regions.
Quitting support and sentiment
Only 39% of vapers believe current quitting support is adequate, while 25% are clueless about support resources. Almost half (51%) have never given quitting aids a shot. To help, Confused.com suggests resources like Bupa, the NHS, and Smoke Free. Men are more likely than women to switch to refillable vapes (27% vs 21%).
Tom Vaughan, life insurance expert at Confused.com, had this to say: "It's good to see plenty of vapers using the ban as motivation to ditch the habit for good. Given the financial and health implications of maintaining the habit, it's crucial smokers or vapers declare it when applying for life insurance. Theban, part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aims to reduce environmental waste from disposable vapes, as well as reduce youth vaping. But with 19% of vapers possibly heading back to cigarettes, policymakers face a tricky challenge to ensure the ban doesn't inflict more harm than good."
- The UK's disposable vape ban, starting on 1st June 2025, might not achieve all the positive outcomes it aims for, as 19% of vapers are planning to switch back to smoking cigarettes.
- The upcoming legislation on disposable vapes presents complex challenges, with nearly one in three vapers (37%) planning to quit vaping altogether.
- Policy and legislation, like the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aim to reduce environmental waste from disposable vapes and curb youth vaping. However, the ban could have unintended consequences if 19% of vapers return to smoking.
- There seems to be a need for improved quitting support, as only 39% of vapers believe the current support is adequate. Additionally, almost half (51%) of vapers have never tried quitting aids.
