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The fact that you’ve ended up on this article means you probably have reservations about popular disposable vape pens and are concerned about whether they might be harmful. We always encourage people to do their own research, so you’ve taken the right steps. We will try our best to inform you of everything we know about disposable vapes and hopefully answer most of your questions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Disposable Vapes Defined: Disposable vapes are convenient, one-time use devices filled with nicotine-infused e-liquid. Unlike other vapes, they’re used straight from the package without refills or recharges.
- Safety First: Disposables are as safe as other vape products, offering a 95% safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. Yet, like all vapes, they’re not entirely risk-free.
- Media Misconceptions: The media often paints a negative image of disposables, but many claims lack evidence. For instance, while disposables have flavors, it doesn’t necessarily mean they target youth.
- Debunking Myths: Not all that’s heard is true. Disposables don’t contain harmful chemicals like cigarettes, and while they have nicotine, it’s the harmful additives in cigarettes that make them deadly
What are Disposable Vapes?
Disposable vapes are just like any other regular vape device. They contain vape juice (e-liquid) that has nicotine within it. The device will have a battery that powers a heating element (coil) to heat the vape juice and create vapor, which the user inhales.
The difference between disposable vape pens and other vaping devices is pretty straightforward – they are not re-usable and are just for one-time use. Disposable vape devices don’t require refilling or recharging; you simply take them out of the packaging and start vaping. Once the juice or battery is depleted, you then throw it away and move on to the next one.
This ease of use and their low price point have made them the perfect gateway into vaping.
Why is Everybody Talking About Disposables?
As we’ve just covered, disposable vapes are incredibly easy to use and have gained so much popularity as the go-to vape product for beginners. They come in a wide variety of flavors and can deliver a vape experience that mimics that of smoking a traditional cigarette.
There have also been some significant advances within coil technology with the introduction of mesh coils that has enabled disposable vape pens to deliver an improved hassle-free vaping experience. So much so that even experienced vapers are now using disposables.
However, there are other reasons why disposables are the talk of the town. Sadly, they have garnered a lot of media attention, and most of it is negative. But are the adverse reports justified?
Firstly there is a lot of misinformation when it comes to vaping in general. However, we will try our best to cover the main points raised and debunk any myths there are about disposable vape devices.
Wondering which is better, a disposable vape pen vs regular vape? Our comprehensive guide provides the information you need to make an informed choice.
How Harmful are Disposable Vapes?
Disposables are as safe as any other vape product on the market. While they do still come with some potential hazards, they are a far safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. Public Health England has even concluded that vape products are at least 95% safer 1S. Boseley, “Public Health England maintains vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking,” The Guardian, Dec. 28, 2018. [Online]. Available: The Guardian than combustible tobacco products.
There is also a lot of research that shows vaping is the most effective aid to quitting smoking 2S. Boseley, “Vaping twice as likely as gum to help smokers quit, research finds,” The Guardian, Jan. 30, 2019. [Online]. Available: The Guardian currently on the market. Most vapers are ex-smokers that have decided to rid themselves of a known deadly habit for something that is much less harmful.
However, that doesn’t mean vaping is 100% safe. The safest thing would be to not vape or smoke at all.
Vape products contain Nicotine (usually nicotine salts in disposable vapes) which is not harmful but can be addictive. If you are not using disposables as a smoking alternative or to suffice nicotine cravings, then it’s best to use a nicotine-free disposable. Disposables also contain flavorings in their e-liquid, which could potentially cause reactions in some people. It’s worth noting that we are still in the infancy of research on the long-term effects of vaping.
So are disposable vapes harmful? On the contrary, they are as safe as any other vape product like reusable devices, and are a much safer alternative to smoking. So if you are only using them to quit smoking, then you have taken the proper steps.
Disposable Vapes and the Media
There’s no denying that for many years there has been an anti-vaping witch hunt in the media, and disposables seem to add fuel to that fire.
Most of the reports compare vape products to cigarettes, talking about smoking-related illnesses. However, vapes do not contain any tar or carbon monoxide that causes these illnesses. Therefore claiming that a disposable vape device could be as detrimental to your health as a cigarette is just wrong.
These negative reports could have some truth behind them with what they call the youth ‘vaping epidemic.’ Vaping manufacturers are often accused of marketing disposable vapes to children. The reason behind this is typically the bright-colored vape devices, and appealing fruity flavors that disposables come in.
I agree that vape manufacturers should do more to make their products less appealing to teens. However, there is still very little evidence that disposable vapes are causing a rise in vaping. In fact, the number of youth vapers has actually fallen 3ASH, “Use of e-cigarettes among young people in Great Britain 2021,” Action on Smoking and Health, Jul. 2021. [Online]. Available: ASH in the past few years.
There’s also an argument to be had regarding flavors and vape products. Yes, a strawberry-flavored product will be more appealing to most than a tobacco one. But this is one of the main reasons for vaping products’ success in getting people off of more harmful substances like cigarettes. In fact, I don’t know a single vaper that solely vapes tobacco or menthol flavors. Most would probably claim that the variety of flavors has been a significant reason for them not to return to smoking.
There are also untold amounts of other products with appealing flavors that do not come under the same scrutiny as vape products – like flavored alcohol. Nowadays, you can buy Vodka or Gin in an assortment of fruity flavors with the same attractive colors and marketing as vape products.
That being said, I do worry about the vape industry, especially when it comes to the rise of disposable vape products. However, I feel manufacturers could do much more to prevent further negative media.
Not sure how to tell if your disposable vape is fake? Our guide provides the signs to look out for.
Myths about Disposables
So what about some of the common myths surrounding disposable vapes? Below we will try and cover some of the main ones.
Myth: Disposables are just like cigarettes because they contain nicotine
Truth: The only fundamental similarity between cigarettes and disposables is nicotine. Nicotine is addictive, but many studies have shown insignificant health risks from nicotine alone. There are many harmful chemicals and additives found in tobacco, such as carbon monoxide, tar, lead, and arsenic. None of these are present in disposable vapes. You can also get zero nicotine disposable vapes.
Myth: Disposable vape pens can explode in your face; that’s why they are dangerous
Truth: Any device that contains a battery could explode in your face if you mistreat it or throw it on a fire. The truth is a disposable vape pen is no more dangerous than any other product containing a battery. As long as you are using an authentic device and not a counterfeit, and always follow the instructions for using the device – then they are entirely safe.
Myth: Disposable vapes are unsafe because they do not list the ingredients
Truth: Again, only counterfeit companies do not list their ingredients properly. All disposable vape pens from reputable companies will list the ingredients contained within the vape juice on the packaging. It’s always worth doing further research into the components of vape juices if you have any reservations.
Myth: Disposable vapes attract youths to vaping
Truth: As mentioned above, there are undoubtedly several characteristics that could make disposable vapes appealing to teenagers. And the majority of disposable vapes bad press it connected with teenage vaping. However, the truth is that youth vaping is on the decline.
The UKVA (UK Vaping Industry Association) highlighted 4“Latest NHS statistics show positive decline in youth vaping,” UK Vaping Industry Association, [Online]. Available: UKVIA that a study by the NHS in 2019 showed that only 1% of young vapers experiment with vaping because they think it “looks cool”.5NHS Digital, “Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use Among Young People in England 2018: Part 4 – Electronic Cigarette Use (Vaping),” NHS Digital, 2018. [Online]. Available: NHS Digital
Myth: Disposables contain harmful chemicals just like tobacco cigarettes
Truth: There is a popular misconception that vape products contain harmful chemicals. This is primarily based on misleading news that vapes and disposable e-cigs contain a chemical called ‘diacetyl’ that can cause a condition called ‘Popcorn lung.’ This is old news, and nearly all vape manufacturers have removed diacetyl from their vape juices. No disposables from reputable brands contain diacetyl, and they do not contain any the harmful chemicals that are in cigarettes.
However be cautious of fake or non compliant disposable vapes. Always purchase your disposable devices from trusted stores.
Myth: Disposable vapes are banned and will soon be outlawed
Truth: There are no pending legislations banning disposable vape pens, disposable vape pods, or any type of vape product. Certain enterprises may prohibit vaping within their premises, but there are no pending legal laws banning disposable vapes.
Wrapping Up
As with any type of vape device, disposable vape products are a far safer alternative for adult smokers. This is because they do not contain carcinogens or other harmful chemicals like cigarettes. However, that doesn’t mean they are safer than if you didn’t vape at all, just that they are a safer alternative to smoking.
We recommend disposable vapes to anyone looking to quit smoking or transition into vaping. They are the most accessible vape product to use and can deliver an excellent vape experience.
