Disposable vapes will be banned from tomorrow (June 1) but it looks like the ban could backfire with nearly half of adults who currently vape considering returning to smoking cigarettes
A ban on the sale of disposable vapes is set to come into force from 1 June 2025, but a shocking survey shows the policy could backfire, potentially derailing the UK’s ambition to become smoke-free by 2030.
The new research found that more than 42% would consider returning to smoking if all vapes were banned, and 17% said they would revert to cigarettes following the introduction of a tax on further vaping products in October 2026.
Out of 750 UK adults aged 18+ who vape, the survey found:
- 44% of respondents said they originally began vaping to quit smoking
- Almost 27% said they have no plans to reduce how often they vape, even in light of the disposable ban
- 52% already use traditional refillable and chargeable vapes, suggesting many have already moved toward more sustainable alternatives
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However, the ban on disposables, which are favoured for their convenience and flavour variety, may affect them as 48% still rely on disposable or chargeable disposable vapes. In addition, 20% expressed concerns about the rising cost of vaping after the ban, and 11% are worried about a potential increase in unregulated black-market vape sales
Flavour restrictions are also a key issue for vapers. While 33% said they would continue vaping even if flavoured liquids were banned in the future, 23% admitted they would return to smoking cigarettes if they didn’t have access to flavoured options.
Chris Price, E-Commerce Manager at Vape shop, commented: “We fully support efforts to reduce youth vaping and protect public health, but these findings show a real risk that following the disposables ban, we may see thousands pushed back to smoking – the very habit vaping helped them quit.
“With the 2030 smokefree ambition, it’s important that policy decisions don’t undermine progress made over the last decade. We urge the government to consider a more balanced approach, such as tighter age verification and packaging controls, rather than removing a tool relied upon by many adults trying to quit smoking.”
Meanwhile, another study recently warned that e-cigs may actually be more dangerous to people’s long-term health than cigarettes. Leading cardiac rehabilitation expert Dr Maxime Boidin conducted the world’s first controlled study into the long-term effects of vaping.
His research shows that vaping may pose more risks to health than traditional cigarettes, increasing the risk of dementia, heart disease, and organ failure for long-term users.
Monitoring the health of different groups of volunteers, he was shocked to find that the arteries in both vapers and smokers suffer similar levels of damage – a sign of future cardiovascular problems as arteries narrow, restricting the flow of blood to vital organs.
He said: “What we have found is the dangers for someone who keeps vaping are no different from smokers. At the beginning (of the study) I also believed that vaping was more beneficial than smoking.
“You see a lot more people vaping these days because they don’t think it’s too bad. Many will be horrified to know the truth.”
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