Is it a Trend?
How will the proposed ban on distributing and selling disposable vapes impact users and non-users?
By Charlotte Johnston
Three pink and yellow disposable vapes, brand Lost Mary, positioned outside in Colindale. Shot on 01.12.2023. Photographed by Charlotte Johnston.
In response to the dramatic rise in disposable vape users, I wanted to investigate the reasons behind why young people are choosing to vape and to see what the key similarities or differences are amongst vape users. I wanted to hear about their journeys with disposable vapes and understand what desire drives them to vape.
Not only that, but understanding how all factors can influence young people to use disposable vapes such as the issues surrounding advertisement and social situations. Investigating what the root of the addiction is and seeing what alternatives could be discussed. I also, spoke with non-vapers to see how this affects them and what this new hiatus has done to them.
The proposal to ban the distribution and selling of disposable vapes made a dramatic appearance in public media in September 2023. This has propelled an ongoing debate about how this will affect vape-users, the business empire and the economy worldwide due to the popularity of growth in disposable vapes. I wanted to find out how this would directly affect vape-users, non-users and the expected global economic growth.
Gabija Grisiute (Ex-Vaper) discussed her experience and journey with using disposable vapes. All content recorded and edited by Charlotte Johnston.
I spoke with Gabija Grisiute whose journey began as a heavy smoker for several years and then she weaned herself off of smoking cigarettes by using disposable vapes and then after around 6 months of vaping, Gabija quit smoking and vaping altogether. Gabija highlighted the negative and positive aspects that have affected her from using disposable vapes.
Listening to her unique story was intriguing as although she emphasised that the physical side effects of smoking and vaping were creating a negative effect on her life, she still believed that without using disposable vapes she wouldn't have been able to first quit smoking cigarettes and then stop altogether.
It is rare to find a vape-user (past or current) that can advocate for both sides to use or not to use disposable vapes.
The proposed ban on distributing and selling disposable vapes:
Recently the UK joined a proposal led by the LGA (Local Government Association) to ban the distribution and selling of disposable vapes.
One of the main points in the proposal is to ‘protect the planet and keep the children safe’ this relates to the sustainability of disposable vapes and the increase in children and young people using vapes.
Alongside this, disposable vapes bring the controversy of advertising within the commercial market due to the bright, appealing colours, and candy-like flavours which allude to advertising towards children.
The proposed banning of distributing and selling of disposable vapes. All content created and edited by Charlotte Johnston.
Are we the influence?
The ASA stands for Advertising Standards Authority which is an independent regulatory for mostly advertisements and promotion across the media in the UK. Social media has been used to advertise and promote disposable vapes to encourage more people to buy them.
However, the issues surrounding advertisements being directed or alluded towards young people and children have caused severe concerns surrounding whether it is ethical to promote disposable vapes via forms of social media.
Guy Parker is the chief executive at ASA and he focuses on making sure vaping adverts are being legally advertised and being aware that younger audiences are very vulnerable and can be easily influenced.
Is it sustainable?
Material Focus is an independent non-profit organisation focusing on ensuring electrical items are reused and recycled correctly. Most disposable vapes contain lithium-ion batteries and according to Material Focus, these batteries are the cause of 48% of all waste fires in the UK.
Scott Butler is the executive director at Material Focus, he highlights the 'out of control' nature of using disposable vapes and the severe increase in young vape users.
These batteries are the cause of 48% of all waste fires in the UK.
I asked Alicia Jones (who is a non-vaper) about her first and last experience using a disposable vape and the gravitating influence it has over young people.
Alicia Jones (Non-Vaper) discussed her experience vaping and her opinions on the influence on young people. All content recorded and edited by Charlotte Johnston.
The use of social media:
I analysed research using social media, specifically Instagram to create an online poll. I wanted to gather some real-time research into disposable vapes and to understand both sides of vaping, I made sure to have questions for non-vapers and vapers.
I specified that the participants needed to be between 18-25 years old to gather relevant research to focus on the impact specifically on the youth. Being able to use social media to create an online poll is an amazing tool but also, the results cannot be taken as literal proof as there are several pitfalls to using social media for research.
One of the questions I asked those who vape was:
Do you recycle your disposable vapes?
The outcome was interesting,
35% said Yes,
65% said No.
This relates to the point that Material Focus was stating that disposable vapes are not being adequately recycled and this research supports this considering the Instagram poll results showed that most vapers do not consistently recycle their vapes.
Photo 1: Kai Stopford (21 year old man) using disposable vape, outside at Colindale train station. Shot on 08.11.23. Photographed by Charlotte Johnston.
Photo 2: Hand holding pink and orange coloured disposable vape, outside at Watford Way, Hendon. Shot on 15.11.23. Photographed by Charlotte Johnston.
Photo 3: Joey Carella (23 year old man) using disposable vape, blowing the smoke, outside at Hendon. Shot on 26.11.23. Photographed by Charlotte Johnston.
Alex Ibrahim-Bennet discussed his experience of vaping and how the proposed ban might have a positive impact on young people addicted to vaping.
Alex said, "I swapped over to vaping before it started to become a trend because it was like a cheaper alternative."
Even Alex referred to the high incline of youth vapers as a 'trend' as it appears in some cases young people are vaping more due to social expectations rather than an actual desire to vape. As well as the availability of vapes as they are cheaper and more accessible to buy.
When I spoke to Alex about the proposed ban he said, "I do agree with the ban, it's getting to the stage where you've got youngsters getting a hold of them with complete ease, and they're still developing. It's not healthy and if it forces me to quit then that's better."
It was interesting speaking to Alex that he feels the proposed ban would help him quit vaping and he emphasised the importance of how dangerous underage vaping can be especially with the recent shocking climax of young users.
It’s the new ‘norm’ for young people to vape:
Social media is contrived to be a large source of information in this day and age and it can be used as an advantage and a disadvantage.
Some studies suggest that social media has been a big influence on the vaping market and that using social media to advertise disposable vapes has contributed to the rise in popularity amongst young people.
One of the studies at Extrapolate highlights that one of the factors contributing to the exponential growth of disposable vapes is the heavy influence of social media.
Extrapolate discusses that business leaders who have a large social media platform can heavily influence the younger people following their platform. Also, disposable vapes have a high influence on social media and this can contribute to the rise of youth vapers.
This highlights the wide audience that social media has and how it has advantages and disadvantages.
I interviewed Joey Carella, aged 23, who is a regular vape user and he discussed his vape journey and if the proposed ban will be effective.
Interview with Joey Carella, aged 23, regular vaper, discussing his experience and opinions on the proposed banning of distributing and selling of disposable vapes. Shot on 26.11.2023. All content recorded and edited by Charlotte Johnston.
Joey Carella discussed that he was highly influenced by his friends when he first started vaping and one of the main reasons he continued to use disposable vapes is due to the ease and accessibility of vaping.
Joey also spoke about how he uses vaping to relieve any stress he has and he uses disposable vapes to be in a meditative state in his home which is easier for him than cigarettes. One of the points he touched on was that he feels that the ban will not improve things but instead the government should look at the root of the problem.
That being to focus on the main purpose of vaping, the addiction to nicotine and the hand-to-mouth action. Then Joey suggested that instead the government could think about regulating disposable vapes and have universal packaging and colouring, to deter young people from vaping.
Looking at the research I conducted via the online poll on Instagram, I asked those who vape, have you ever considered quitting? The result was that 85% of the participants said yes to quitting, this was surprising and an interesting element to analyse.
The fact that the people who choose to use disposable vapes a large percentage of this research have thought or are attempting to quit.
From this research, I can infer that in this specific case study the majority of vapers intend on quitting or would like to quit so it isn’t considered a necessity in their lives.
Is there evidence?
Technavio has analysed the e-cigarette and vape market and discussed the health impacts. Which have not been entirely identified or studied long enough to convey the lasting, harmful effects of disposable vapes.
Technavio discusses a health study from October 2022 by the National Institute of Health which suggests that long-term usage can seriously compromise the functioning of blood vessels in the body and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, as disposable vapes are a new form of smoking and its technology is still being understood, there are not enough confirmed studies discussing the health risks or potential health benefits of vaping versus smoking.
Is there an answer?
Joey Carella (a regular vape user) said, “Vapes are so accessible to people... I think it's a lot easier to not admit that you've got anxiety and to just like vape or something rather than going to the doctors and being like I need a bit of help.”
Those who vape may feel that their mental health issues are supported by disposable vapes, but this is a short-term solution, this is not a long-term solution due to the new, untested technology of disposable vapes.
There is no clear answer yet, of the damage disposable vapes can do which simultaneously means there isn’t accurate proof that they can harm you or that there will be long-term lasting effects. This is why vaping is still being analysed and researched to further understand what implications may arise in the future.
85% of the participants said
yes to quitting.
This is a short-term solution, this is not a long-term solution.
Taisiya Lipkin (Woman, aged 21) was interviewed discussing alternatives to disposable vapes being a non-vaper. Shot on 27.11.23. Photographed by Charlotte Johnston.
I spoke to Taisiya Lipkin (who is a non-vaper) about how disposable vapes can affect users and non-users. One of the points she highlighted was the physical effects of vaping that she noticed were happening to her friends and her fears for this developing into something worse in the future.
Taisiya said, "These people are my friends but like a part of me thinks that it might because I know that a lot of people get like a really bad cough from it and my friends are already showing signs of it like affecting them which worries me like I don't want it to happen, but I think it's inevitable."
Taisiya still showed her compassion and empathy towards her friends who vape, even though she doesn't, but is aware of how her friends are being affected. This is one of the indirect causes of disposable vapes, highlighting that anyone can be affected by disposable vapes
What does the future hold?
The E-Cigarette and Vaping Market has been predicted to steadily incline over the next few years due to the increasing appetite for disposable vapes.
The global E-Cigarette and Vaping Market size was worth around $21.82 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a valuation of $148.58 billion by 2032 (at a CAGR of 21.15% between 2023 and 2032.)
This is nearly seven times the amount that the e-cigarette and vaping market is currently making if the predicted numbers are accurate.
By 2032, the disposable vape industry will be uncontrollable and inconceivable to the imagination. This is not to say that this is a negative impact only, the e-cigarette and vaping market will bring in a large economic growth and support business advancement and innovation.
$21.82 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a valuation of $148.58 billion
by 2032
A pile of disposable vapes, brands - Lost Mary, Gold Bar, positioned outside in Colindale. Shot on 01.12.2023. Photographed by Charlotte Johnston.