According to the government, Cancer Research USA, Public Health England, and health bodies across the globe, vaping is at least 95% safer than smoking cigarettes. This is because the vapour from an e-cigarette does not contain any of the tar or carbon monoxide (or any of the thousands of other toxic chemicals) found in tobacco smoke.

It’s important to note that disposable vapes are no more or less safe as any other vaping products on the UK market due to the rigorous testing and approval processes that vape products undergo before then can legally be sold.

In addition, the UK government states that vaping is the most successful smoking cessation aid we currently have, with an estimated 59.7% to 74% success rate in helping smokers quit. This is higher than any other tool or NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) product, including nicotine patches, gums, lozenges, and even medication.

So, if you’re vaping to quit cigarettes, this will absolutely be a boon for your health.

However, if you’ve never been a smoker, you shouldn’t be vaping. Vaping is not risk-free for non-smokers, even if you’re vaping nicotine-free. Do not vape if you’ve never smoked.

Pros & Cons of Disposable Puff Bars

Disposable vapes make for an awfully convenient vaping experience, but they have their positives and negatives, from the portability and lack of set-up to their cost and environmental impact.

Benefits of Disposable Vape Devices

Disposables offer convenience and simplicity above all else, making them ideal for beginners and on-the-go vapers.

No Setup or Maintenance

Disposable puff bars require absolutely zero set up or maintenance, save for the removal of the safety sticker and/or rubber stopper.

These vapes are ready to use straight out of the box. Whereas with refillable vape kits and pod kits, you’ll need E-Liquid, a device, a charger, and a fresh coil or pod, disposable vapes are an all-in-one, pre-prepared vape experience.

Plus, for those who are new to vaping, there can be a learning curve with refillable vape kits. Learning about the different types of vaping styles, kits, coils, tanks, E-Liquids, required maintenance, and so on can be daunting to newbies, but disposable vapes take all of these hurdles out of the equation.

A simple vaping device which works right out of the packaging offers less friction and a better chance at successfully making the switch.

Great for Commutes & Nights Out

Whether you’re planning a night out or you’ve got a commute to work or uni in the morning, disposable vape pens offer a portable, hassle-free option which can easily be stored in a pocket or handbag.

Even diehard experienced vapers don’t necessarily want to bring their bulky everyday mod with them on the go. It could be damaged, stolen, or lost—but a disposable vape is a cheap, low-risk alternative.

For as little as a few pounds, you could have a disposable vape kit that you won’t mind dropping or forgetting at the pub.

Cons of Using Disposable Vapes

For all of their benefits, disposable vapes also have some downsides—namely, for your wallet and the planet.

The Cost of Disposable Vapes

While you’ll most definitely be saving money by switching from smoking to vaping, you won’t be saving as much as you could if you were to use a refillable vape kit. A disposable vape habit can cost you a lot in the long run.

If you were to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day at £13.45 per pack, this would cost you £4,909.25 per year, or £403.50 per month.

Now, by switching to disposable vapes, you can save over half your money. A year’s worth of disposables at £4 each (based on our popular Mix & Match 3 for £12 offer), you’ll still be spending £1,460 per year. That’s about £120 per month.

But if you were to switch to using a refillable and rechargeable vape kit instead, you could save even more. With a cheap vape kit that costs £9.99 up front, plus 2ml of premium E-Liquid per day (the same amount a disposable vape has) and the cost of replacement pods, you’ll only end up spending about £374.99 per year. That’s less than £40 per month, which is about a third of the cost of disposable vapes.

So, if your wallet is feeling light, you should consider opting for a starter vape kit instead. They’re easy to use and maintain, though they do require more upkeep. Still, starter kits have benefits that disposables don’t afford, like endless E-Liquid flavours to choose from, better battery life, and a more customisable vaping experience.

We cover the best beginner kits and how to start using them in our Beginner’s Guide to Vaping if you’re considering a refillable starter vape kit.

The Ecological Impact of Disposable Vapes

Disposable vapes aren’t good for the planet. Even when they’re empty, they contain plastics, a lithium-ion battery, and leftover nicotine salt E-Liquid, plus the heavy metals that form the interior elements of the device.

At the moment, we don’t have an efficient way to break down disposable vapes into recyclable elements, which means that a majority of them end up in landfill to break down and pollute the environment. There are even issues with the batteries combusting and causing fires at landfill sites.

When these vapes are left to break down, they seep their plastics, metals, and E-Liquids and end up polluting waterways and soil, which can harm the ecosystem.

Many disposable vapes have no recycling or disposal instructions, and even if they did, disposable vapers have a habit of chucking their spent disposable devices in their regular landfill waste—or even worse, in the street.

What Are Disposable Vapes? Your Ultimate Guide to Disposables in [y]

Source: BBC

While there are a number of new initiatives from disposable vape companies to combat the disposable vape waste issue—from the 99.29% recyclable Slix Bar to the new modular design of the Elf Bar 600 V2—a majority of disposable vape brands still have a lot of catching up to do.

So, for the sake of the planet, it’s not a good idea to rely on disposable vapes as your everyday vape kit. If you use disposable vapes as a stepping stone into vaping, that’s great—but you should try to transition to a more sustainable alternative, like a pod kit, once you’ve gotten the hang of vaping.

Alternatives to Disposable Vape Kits

There are plenty of rechargeable vape kits on the market offering alternatives to disposable vapes. These starter vape kits usually have refillable pods which you fill with a vape juice of your choosing. They also boast low-maintenance designs, portability, and convenience, just like disposables do.

One of the many benefits of refillable pods is that you have the tens of thousands of E-Liquid flavours the vaping world has to offer at your disposal.

Plus, pod systems are more customisable than disposable vapes are, allowing you to choose your vape juice type, your nicotine strength, the tightness of your draw, and more. You can even use nicotine salt E-Liquids in pod kits, offering the same great E-Liquid as a disposable vape.