For the vape industry, 2021 has seen the rise in popularity of disposable, one time vape devices. Geek Vape started the trend with the introduction of their Geek Bars and it didn’t take long for others to follow. Disposable vape devices are small battery powered vape devices that already contain a flavoured e-liquid within them. Users need no prior knowledge or experience. They simply open and start vaping them. Once the e-liquid within them runs out or the battery has no capacity left, users throw them away.
Why Have Disposable Vape Devices Become So Popular?
Disposable e-cigs require no prior knowledge of vaping, nor does anyone need to teach a smoker how to operate them. The consumer simply needs to select which flavour and strength they require and can start vaping straightaway. Disposables also provide a clean and easy experience. Standard vape devices require coil changes and e-liquid re-fills. This is not the case with disposables. There are no buttons on a disposable e-cig and they do not require any maintenance. Furthermore, disposables are generally small and easy to carry around on a regular basis. A single disposable bar requires less pocket or bag space than a pack of cigarettes. Additionally, disposables provide a cheap solution for newbies to test a vape device before committing to a longer term one.
Are Disposables a New Concept?
Whilst many may think disposables are a revolutionary concept, the actual truth is that mainstream vaping started with disposables. Before the introduction of box mods, eGo batteries and pod systems, vape devices used to take a similar shape and size of a traditional cigarette. People would use these devices for a day or so and dispose of them when they reached the end of their useful life. After this, Nicolites revolutionised the industry with their high strength cartomizers and then eventually the industry moved onto larger and non-disposable devices. Essentially, the industry has taken a U-turn. However, the modern disposables are certainly revolutionary in their own right due to the quality of flavour and draw they produce.
Environmental Concerns
The growth of disposable e-cigs has caused a concern for the environment. All disposables utilise a plastic mould of some sort and this plastic is not biodegradable. It also goes against the policies the governments are trying to promote which limit the use of plastics and encourages the re-use of plastic items. Whilst most vapers will disposable of these devices in a sensible manner, there are others who will simply litter the floors with them, causing damage to the environment. Users of deposable e-cig devices should also remember that these devices contain small batteries and should be carefully discarded in a battery bank.
The Rise of Counterfeit and Fake Disposables
The growth of the original Geek Bars took everyone by surprise and Geek Vape themselves were struggling to keep up with worldwide demand. Unfortunately, this caused a rise in replicas and fake Geek Bars. Any replica, non-authentic and fake disposable e-cig should be avoided. These devices will be using non-tested e-liquids and inferior batteries that could cause all sorts of problems to the end user. A spokesman from British e-cigarette retailer Dragon Vapour said “People should only buy disposables from a reputable e-cigarette retailer that has an established history and extensive knowledge of these devices”
`Are Disposables Regulated?
In the United Kindom, nicotine containing disposable vape devices are regulated by the TPD regulations All these devices must be submitted and approved by the MHRA before they are sold to the public. The TPD regulations limit the overall nicotine strength of disposables to 20mg and each cartridge cannot contain more than 2ml of e-liquid. The e-liquid within these cartridges must also be tested to ensure its safe to consume.
If a disposable e-cigarette does not contain nicotine, it falls out the scope of the TPD regulations but must follow general consumer laws which state any product that is sold to the public must be tested to ensure its safe to consume. This responsibility falls onto the manufacturer or official importer.
