Tag: disposables

  • New U.S. Task Force to Combat Illegal Vapes

    New U.S. Task Force to Combat Illegal Vapes

    Photo: Orhan Çam

    The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have established a federal task force to combat the distribution and sale of illegal vaping products.

    “Enforcement against illegal e-cigarettes is a multipronged issue that necessitates a multipronged response,” said Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products.

    In addition to the FDA and the DOJ, partners in the task force will include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

    “Unauthorized e-cigarettes and vaping products continue to jeopardize the health of Americans—particularly children and adolescents—across the country,” said acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer. “This interagency task force is dedicated to protecting Americans by combatting the unlawful sale and distribution of these products. And the establishment of this task force makes clear that vigorous enforcement of the tobacco laws is a government-wide priority.”

    The federal task force will focus on several topics, including investigating and prosecuting new criminal, civil, seizure and forfeiture actions under the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act; the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act; and other authorities.

    “The U.S. Marshals Service asset forfeiture division stands ready to work with our task force partners in the seizure of unauthorized e-cigarettes from domestic distributors seeking to sell them unlawfully,” said Ronald Davis, director of the U.S. Marshals Service.

    “The Justice Department is committed to enforcing the laws that prevent the sale and distribution of unlawful e-cigarettes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the DOJ’s civil division. “We will work closely with our task force partners to address this crisis with all of the enforcement tools available to us.”

    The FTC, which releases reports about cigarette, smokeless tobacco and e-cigarette marketing and enforces various statutory and regulatory prohibitions on false and misleading advertising, will support the task force’s activities, including by sharing its knowledge about the marketplace for vaping products.

    “We look forward to sharing our experience with this rapidly changing, multibillion-dollar market through this important task force,” said Samuel A.A. Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

  • Lawmakers Urged to Close ‘Loopholes’ in Disposables Ban

    Lawmakers Urged to Close ‘Loopholes’ in Disposables Ban

    Image: Cybrain

    Activists are urging U.K. lawmakers to close “loopholes” in the ban on disposable vapes that is set to take effect next April, reports the BBC.

    In anticipation of the measure, manufacturers such as Elfbar and Lost Mary have been launching reusable versions of their popular disposable vapes.

    “We are continuing to diversify our product lines by providing viable alternatives to single-use devices, addressing the demand for a harm reduction tool that is helping to assist millions of adults [to quit smoking],” an Elfbar spokesman was quoted as saying. 

    The reusable versions differ from their disposable counterparts primarily in that nicotine liquid comes in a replaceable pod, and a USB port at the bottom allows the battery to be recharged. It means the body of the vape can be reused.

    Critics contend that the new vapes will not deliver the environmental benefits envisioned by the ban. “This switch may have negligible environmental impact as these are still items which are low priced and easy to throw away,” said Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, a non-profit organization set up tackle electrical waste.

    A spokesman for the Local Government Association, which was one of the leading voices calling for the ban said the addition of a USB port to disposable vapes amounted to an attempt to bypass the restrictions, and called on lawmakers to define “disposable” in a way that would prevent producers from exploiting loopholes

    In a filing with Companies House, the U.K. registrar of businesses, Elf Bar and Lost Mary distributor Green Fun Alliance noted that the disposable vape ban would have a detrimental effect on sales and profitability.

    “However, management have been preparing for this and are well equipped to pivot their business to the exclusive sale of non-disposable vapes and related products,” the company wrote.

  • After Disposables

    After Disposables

    Photo: Image: Viktoria Ostroushko

    It is opportune for the industry to revisit the fundamental purpose of vaping—harm reduction and providing a superior consumer experience.

    By Douglas Ming Deng

    Pro or against? It is undeniable that disposable e-cigarettes have been the most popular format in the market over the past four years. Despite earlier predictions of their imminent disappearance, recent events like TPE24 and Champs in February suggest that manufacturers and distributors are still committed to showcasing elaborate disposable models. With features such as increased puff capacity, larger screens and vibrant colors, there seems to be no limit to the innovations of the disposables they’re introducing.

    However, changes are on the horizon, especially since the British government announced a ban on disposable e-cigarettes. The ban has sparked growing concerns among industry stakeholders regarding the life cycle of this category. While compliance has always been a central issue, the heightened emphasis on enforcement in the past months has prompted industry-wide apprehension. Yet, for those familiar with the evolution of vapor products, the shift in exterior designs should not be surprising given the industry’s history of transitioning from closed systems to open systems then to pods, pod-mods and now disposables within the past two decades.

    At the TPE24 and Champs Trade show, numerous disposable products were exhibited with minimal differentiation among them. Instead of specifying their current preferences for an ideal e-cigarette, both distributors and shop buyers voiced their anticipation for what would become popular six months down the line. To predict the future trends of products, it becomes essential to unravel the reasons behind the success of disposables.

    The affordability of disposables lowers the threshold, allowing for a smoother transition for those seeking to switch from combustibles to risk-reduced products (RRPs). Disposables possess clear advantages over device-based systems, particularly in terms of portability, while retaining key features such as noncompatibility of fake cartridges and adjustable coil voltage. In addition, they contribute to relative environmental protection with the increasing volume of liquid filled. However, the downsides of disposables are apparent. Firstly, their disposability sparks significant environmental protection debates, necessitating solutions that incur additional costs and subsequently leading to a general rise in the price of vapor products. Therefore, the next-generation vapor products will be sold at a higher price margin than the current disposables.

    Recently, solutions like paper-based bodies with biodegradable plastic components have been introduced to disposable e-cigarettes. In the EU, regulations mandate the rechargeability of batteries in vape products, establishing a reusable device as the minimum standard for the next generation of e-cigarettes. Moreover, the widespread use of disposables among underage individuals has cast a shadow over the entire category since its inception. While recent reports suggest a decline, with some teenagers deeming vaping immature, the issue remains pertinent. If even a single producer persists in designing disposable vapes with toy-like appearances and cotton candy flavors targeting underage kids, the entire industry could face consequences. This negative externality has become more critical than ever, emphasizing the need for the industry to unite and reach a consensus on addressing these public enemies. It is the right time to reconstruct the value of the whole industry and shape a new image of vapor.

    Noteworthy Changes

    Since the beginning of 2023, the evolution of disposable e-cigarettes has undergone a remarkable surge. For many, the exterior appearance of these products has transformed so swiftly that some manufacturers express concern that their latest models could become outdated before even hitting the market. The size has shifted from compact to large, the weight from light to heavy and the e-liquid tank from small to enormous. The rapid evolution of disposables suggests that the category is approaching the culmination of its development.

    One noteworthy change, above all, is the incorporation of screens on these products. While screens have appeared on vapor products before, recent developments significantly differ, particularly from those on open systems. Within just one year, screens have evolved from simple black-and-white displays to color ones then to TFT-LCD, and some brands have now introduced new products with LED touch screens. The on-screen features change from display of battery life and e-liquid contents to fancy animations ranging from alien UFOs shooting off to fireworks blasting, and they seem to emerge one after another. One might question: Are these high-end features really necessary for a disposable vape product priced at $30?

    As a scholar closely studying the industry over the past two decades, I strongly believe that the integration of screens on disposable vapes marks a significant breakthrough in vape products and could mean the evolution of vapor toward an advanced step. Interactivity is poised to become the defining characteristic of next-generation e-cigarettes. This interactivity fosters a dialogue between end users and other stakeholders in the industry chain.

    Currently, a major obstacle hindering the expansion of vapor to those who seek RRPs is the lack of communication among manufacturers, sellers, end users and regulators. When end users visit a shop, they often lack knowledge about why they are buying an e-cigarette and what product suits their needs. Shop assistants, with varying levels of expertise, recommend products, and some may lack technical knowledge about flavor differences. Neither end users nor sellers often realize that tobacco harm reduction (THR) is the real selling point of vape products. However, a smart device could facilitate communication between end users, manufacturers and sellers, allowing real smoking experiences to be reported to manufacturers for them to conduct consumer-oriented innovation. During my keynote speech at GTNF 2023 in Seoul, I emphasized the concept of a regulatory sandbox. Such a sandbox would only be viable with the presence of a smart vape device. It would enable vape products to be regulated in a closed loop, fostering innovation by allowing regulators to monitor real-time product testing. Enterprises would receive regulatory feedback promptly, adjusting their research and development accordingly. This approach enhances regulatory efficiency and ultimately builds trust among regulators, enterprises and consumers. Thus, the transition will be achieved from “wait and improve” to “test and innovate.”

    In 2022, the introduction of the Lil Aible by KT&G was groundbreaking. This smart device seamlessly integrates the use of heated-tobacco products (HTPs), incorporating both granular and reconstituted tobacco, along with vape technology. The exterior of Lil Aible mirrors the trend observed in disposables today—a robust device featuring a high-definition touch screen. However, the interior features of Lil Aible offer a glimpse into the future of vapor products: the incorporation of an AI function powered by a robust digital CPU. This function not only empowers the e-cigarette to optimize the smoking behavior of each individual user, enabling them to control the total puffs consumed every day, but also enhances harm reduction capabilities. Moreover, the implementation of facial recognition on a smart vape device, when used with due consideration for privacy, can effectively prevent usage by minors. This technology alleviates the burden on regulators for monitoring purposes.

    Furthermore, an AI-empowered device would revolutionize the flavoring process. Currently, manual flavoring is often considered an art, with the addition of various flavor chemicals relying on the blender’s personal taste and experience. However, in the era of digital flavoring, the process resembles coding basic substances through chromatographic fingerprints. The flavor can be precisely replicated on an AI smart vape device, a concept known as decoding. It’s crucial to recognize that e-cigarettes possess a natural electronic endowment, making them inherently suited for digital flavoring. In comparison to substances like alcohol or perfume, e-cigarettes have a distinct advantage in executing digital flavoring. This advantage is particularly pronounced in tobacco-flavored e-liquid, where manual methods may fall short of achieving promising results. The inherently possessed electronic capabilities of e-cigarettes may facilitate more straightforward communication between producers and users.

    Computer Chips Vs. Potato Chips

    Instead of dwelling on the next exterior appearance of e-cigarettes after disposables, it is opportune for the entire industry to revisit the fundamental purpose of vaping—harm reduction and providing a superior consumer experience. Shenzhen, China, renowned as the “Vape Valley,” possesses the capability to spearhead the creation of the next generation of e-cigarettes. During GTNF 2023, we delved into discussions about the future trends of vapor products. Moving forward, professional and technical forums like CORESTA or the Tobacco Science Research Conference serve as valuable platforms to gauge the direction of the next generation of vape products. It is in these forums that the industry can collectively shape the future while staying true to the core principles of harm reduction and delivering an enhanced user experience.

    In the years to come, e-cigarettes will embody characteristics of both fast moving consumer goods and more advanced, versatile electronic durable goods. Rather than opting for radical change, the transition from disposables to next-generation devices will be gradual. Like I said during a 2023 industry conference in Shenzhen, involution might only lead to the production of “potato chips” instead of “computer chips.” While potato chips can satiate basic appetites, aiming for the sophistication of computer chips elevates the vape industry to a higher standard. It is crucial for the industry to recognize this potential, as failure to do so may result in being confined to the low-end recycling sector.

    In conclusion, the narrative of disposable e-cigarettes mirrors the industry’s dynamic spirit—a story of adaptation, innovation and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The application of screens on disposables might disclose the future of vapor. Standing at the precipice of evolution, the industry is not merely chasing trends but actively shaping a future where harm reduction, end user-centric experiences and technological advancements harmoniously coexist. The tale of disposables is but a chapter in a grand saga, with each exhale marking a step into a future where vaping transcends boundaries and emerges as a beacon of possibilities.

    Douglas Ming Deng is a professor of next-generation products industry studies at Yunnan University.
  • Contemplating the Fallout

    Contemplating the Fallout

    Photo: bennyrobo

    What will the U.K.’s ban on disposable vapes mean for the next-generation nicotine industry?

    By Paul Hardman

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently announced that the U.K. government would ban disposable vapes as part of its plan to tackle the rise in youth vaping. The new measures come as the government responds to a recent consultation on smoking and vaping, which, it says, indicated “overwhelming support” for a ban on disposables. What does this decision mean for the next-generation nicotine industry? And what may come next?

    As well as banning disposable vapes, the U.K. government will implement new powers to restrict vape flavors, introduce plain packaging and change how vapes are displayed. As part of the measures, the government is introducing new fines for shops in England and Wales that sell vapes illegally to children, with Trading Standards officers able to hand out fines on the spot on top of the up to £2,500 ($3,155.58) fines that local authorities can already issue.

    The government may use powers already established under the Environmental Protection Act to enforce the ban, which is expected to come into force at the end of 2024 or early 2025.

    Tackling Youth Access

    Back in 2019, the U.K. government launched its Smoke-Free 2030 ambition, which seeks to reduce tobacco smoking prevalence to below 5 percent by the end of the decade. Alternative methods of accessing nicotine, including vapes, are critical to achieving this smoke-free vision. However, the government’s position on vaping has come under increased scrutiny, partly because of a recorded growth in youth uptake.

    According to an ASH survey, titled “Use of e-cigarettes (vapes) among young people in Britain,” in March/April 2023, the proportion of children experimenting with vaping had grown by 50 percent year-on-year, from one in 13 to one in nine. In 2023, 20.5 percent of children had tried vaping, up from 15.8 percent in 2022 and 13.9 percent in 2020. Popular flavors among respondents included fruit (60 percent) followed by sweet or soft drinks (25 percent).

    The government reports that disposable vapes have been “a driving force behind the alarming rise in youth vaping, with the proportion of 11[-year-old] to 17-year-old vapers using disposables increasing almost ninefold in the last two years.” Some may feel that this trend has been driven by their convenience—they can be purchased, used immediately and discarded. It could also be due to their affordable prices, bright colors and flavor appeal. However, this convenience is important for offering smokers a safer, accessible alternative to combustible cigarettes. Therefore, a balance must be struck.

    On the other hand, pod-based systems are generally less convenient as these often require charging before use. Typically, pod-based systems carry a higher price tag for the whole system than a disposable product, and investment into a certain type of system is therefore required. Once the device has been selected, the user is tied to a particular range of pods. A consumer opting for the more expensive tank-type e-cigarette will need to navigate changing coils and different e-liquid types and strengths, making these more complex than using a disposable vape.

    In our experience, disposable products also tend to contain the highest allowed concentration of nicotine, 20 mg per milliliter, in the form of nicotine salts, which have been shown to be absorbed more rapidly than nicotine freebase and may result in greater nicotine dependence than products with slower uptake.

    The report also references the environmental impact, mentioning that 5 million disposables are discarded each week, the equivalent to the lithium batteries of 5,000 electric vehicles. These are stark figures and put the environmental impact into context.

    The Impact of the Measures

    Though the measures are specifically designed to tackle youth vaping, there will naturally be an impact on the industry as a whole. We may see surging youth popularity for modern oral nicotine pouches, new product categories emerging or a trend toward heated tobacco. It is important that these products do not follow the same path as disposable vapes in terms of youth appeal so that their access can be retained for adult smokers wishing to quit combustible cigarettes. This means robust regulation, regulatory enforcement and responsible behavior from manufacturers and retailers.

    Manufacturers of disposable vapes will now be looking for ways to engineer their products so that they can remain on the market. The technology used in disposable vapes is not necessarily disposable; the batteries are capable of many charge cycles, and it would not be difficult to engineer replaceable tanks. It may be that disposables manufacturers switch to reusable systems, such as pod-type vapes, and keep the look and taste as similar as possible to current products. The “new powers to restrict vape flavors” may be important in ensuring these amended devices are not as appealing to children.

    The government will need to set out a legal definition of disposable vapes and clarify how the ban and restrictions will be implemented. For instance, at this stage, it is unknown whether there will be any additional requirements regarding the notification process and whether manufacturers must submit additional product information to remain compliant with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR).

    Unless more detail is provided in the legislation, loopholes could appear that manufacturers and retailers might seek to exploit. For example, it is illegal to sell vapes to under-18-year-olds in the U.K., but retailers could still give out disposables to children as free samples. Following recommendations by the Khan review, in April 2023, the government announced that it would be closing this loophole.

    There are concerns among U.K. ministers that some manufacturers may adapt their disposable vapes to circumvent the ban. According to The Guardian, ministers are “eliminating ruses such as attaching charging points to them [disposable vapes].” Interestingly, when asked about manufacturers adding USB charging points to unrefillable vapes to avoid the ban, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins commented: “That’s incredibly cynical [to ask], and it shows, if you like, the battle that the government is prepared to take on.”

    There are also concerns that on-the-spot fines will not be sufficiently high to prevent unscrupulous retailers from selling to under-18-year-olds. After all, it is currently illegal to sell any e-cigarette to youth, but the problem prevails. With £30 million announced to fund HM Revenue and Customs, Border Force and Trading Standards, it will be interesting to see if the amount is sufficient to tackle the issue of illegally imported and sold products.

    It will also be interesting to see if any further measures are introduced for products popular with young people, perhaps to target reusable vapes that are specifically designed to look like something else a child might have on their person, such as a highlighter pen or mascara.

    Nicotine Pouches as “Vaping Alternatives”

    The government mentions that “Vaping alternatives—such as nicotine pouches—will also be outlawed for children who are increasingly turning to these highly addictive substitutes.” While introducing an age restriction is a sensible move, we will have to wait to see what additional regulations will follow for nicotine pouches. For example, whether there will be a cap on nicotine strength and a sensible approach to flavors/graphics and advertising—the sorts of restrictions that ought to be in place for all consumer nicotine products may help reduce youth appeal.

    It is important that nicotine pouches do not fall into the same traps as disposable vapes did. These products can be considered one of the lowest risk consumer nicotine products available, and their access must be maintained to aid adult smokers working to quit or reduce smoking.

    Where Manufacturers Can Go from Here

    In a letter to the Prime Minister, the U.K. Vaping Industry Association expressed its “profound dismay and disappointment” with the decision to proceed with a disposable vape ban. According to the letter, “This decision jeopardizes the significant progress made in reducing smoking rates in the U.K. and poses a threat to the well-being of millions of adults who have successfully quit smoking with the help of vaping.”

    However, it’s possible that a disposable ban could leave a gap in the market for tobacco harm reduction products that are not youth-appealing but appeal to smokers and are sufficiently effective in their nicotine delivery and taste to substitute traditional combustible cigarettes. Of course, all new consumer products will need to comply with the TRPR as well as the new measures that ban disposables, standardize packaging and restrict flavors.

    The Medicinal Pathway

    As the consumer nicotine market faces greater restrictions, we may see a growing number of manufacturers working to get their vapes approved as medicinal products in the U.K. As part of the U.K. government’s vision for a smoke-free future, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is actively looking to approve e-cigarettes as nicotine-replacement therapies. If licensed as a medicinal product, e-cigarettes do not need to comply with the TRPR limits, such as the 20 mg per milliliter limit on nicotine concentration. The medicinal product route also makes products exempt from the new measures simply because they are not consumer nicotine products. However, the various requirements around marketing and advertising of medicines would apply instead.

    By following the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) approval pathway, manufacturers can bring flavored, higher concentration nicotine e-cigarettes to U.K. smokers but with a more controlled marketing infrastructure that limits youth access. For instance, products that receive a marketing order under a General Sales license are subject to the same sales restrictions as over-the-counter pharmaceutical products like paracetamol, preventing minors from buying them.

    The medicinal product route gives smokers wishing to quit the confidence that the product has been developed, manufactured and tested to strict medicinal standards. With the ability to use higher concentrations of nicotine, there is the potential to make a product more effective in terms of nicotine delivery compared to consumer products.

    Early in an MAA application, manufacturers can partner with a scientific and regulatory compliance partner to support them through the process, from product design to regulatory approval, to improve their chances of success.

    Summary

    Backed by “overwhelming support,” the new ban on disposables is not without reason but not an approach Broughton advocates. As observed with other products and also reflected by the vaping industry in the U.S., prohibition is rarely effective and could set a dangerous precedent for the entire category. We agree with the sentiment of the new measures with regard to youth access but believe more detail is needed to prevent exploitation and to reassure manufacturers on how they can remain compliant with the TRPR and other relevant standards. Meanwhile, a blanket ban on disposables could spur innovation and the development of new medicinal products but only if manufacturers can access the right support.

    Broughton is modifying its compliance framework as new regulations develop to ensure that its nicotine consulting service complies with the latest guidance. To find out how this framework can support you, visit the Broughton website, www.broughton-group.com.

    Paul Hardman is a managing consultant at Broughton, an independent life sciences contract research organization offering analytical testing services integrated with scientific consultancy and global regulatory support.
  • Disposable Vape Waste a Problem for Cities

    Disposable Vape Waste a Problem for Cities

    Photo: bennyrobo

    Disposable e-cigarettes are creating a new waste management challenge for U.S. local governments. One of the main issues is that the battery-powered products are classified as hazardous waste.

    The devices, which contain nicotine, lithium and other metals, cannot be reused or recycled. Under federal environmental law, they shouldn’t go in the trash.

    “We are in a really weird regulatory place where there is no legal place to put these and yet we know, every year, tens of millions of disposables are thrown in the trash,” Yogi Hale Hendlin, a health and environmental researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, told the Associated Press.

    In late August, sanitation workers in Monroe County, New York, packed more than 5,500 e-cigarettes into 55-gallon steel drums for transport to a giant industrial waste incinerator in northern Arkansas, where they would be melted down. Local officials said it’s the only way to keep the devices out of waterways and landfills.

    “These are very insidious devices,” said Michael Garland, director of the county’s environmental services. “They’re a fire risk, and they’re certainly an environmental contaminant if not managed properly.”

    Elsewhere, the disposal process has become both costly and complicated. In New York City, for example, officials are seizing hundreds of thousands of banned vapes from local stores and spending more than $1 each for disposal.

    Vaping critics say the industry has skirted responsibility for the environmental impact of its products while federal regulators have failed to force changes that could make vaping components easier to recycle or less wasteful.

    Disposable e-cigarettes currently account for about 53 percent of the multibillion U.S. vaping market, according to U.S. government figures, more than doubling since 2020.

  • Snowplus to Launch Gold Bar and Clic in U.K.

    Snowplus to Launch Gold Bar and Clic in U.K.

    Snowplus will soon launch two all-new disposable e-cigarettes. The Snowplus Gold Bar and Snowplus Clic are the first 5,000 puffs TPD-compliant devices to come to market, according to an emailed press release.

    Debuting at the Vaper Expo UK, to be held from October 27-29 in Birmingham, England, the new products represent a “pioneering innovation” in the vaping market, according to Snowplus.

    “The Snowplus Gold Bar will be the game-changer in the industry, it will definitely lead the product development direction,” said a Snowplus spokesperson. “A 5,000-puff TPD disposable vape has never been seen in the UK market before.”

    All vaping products sold in the UK must comply with the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). Most legal disposable vaping products in the UK deliver less than 800 puffs in order to meet TPD requirements.

    The Gold Bar and Clic models both feature transparent e-liquid tanks that give users a clear, real-time view of remaining juice levels. The products also utilize lab-tested mesh coils made of specialized materials to deliver consistent and authentic flavor across 16 different juice options.

    “Snowplus has pioneered responsible innovation since its founding in 2019,” the release states. “With $40 million in funding from renowned investors like Sequoia Capital, the company aims to provide better alternatives to combustible cigarettes for adult consumers.”

    The Snowplus Gold Bar and Clic have also passed numerous third-party safety tests.

  • Disposables Approach 40 Percent of Market

    Disposables Approach 40 Percent of Market

    Photo: Alexander Gavrilichev

    Disposable e-cigarettes account for almost 40 percent of the vape sector, according to new analysis from ECigIntelligence.

    After an initial boom in the United States, the disposables market is now growing at a faster pace in other countries.

    Consumers are attracted to disposables mainly by convenience and low price, but there are variations in products internationally.

    For example, due to the EU Tobacco Product Directive’s (TPD) restrictions on the amount of e-liquid in vape products, the size of disposables has increased much more in non-TPD countries.

    On the other hand, in some TPD markets there has been an increase in zero-nicotine products, as these are allowed to have a larger tank capacity.

    Another notable recent development is the emergence of products that address the environmental concerns associated with disposables, for example products made mostly of paper, or with biodegradable components.

    To provide further insight into the global disposables market, ECigIntelligence has now launched a disposable e-cigarettes tracker.

    The data shows how disposable vape pricing, technical features, flavors and nicotine strengths have developed since 2020 across brands carried by leading online retailers. Users can even select specific models and see their closest competitors in the market in terms of features such as number of puffs, e-liquid capacity, battery capacity, and physical shape.

    “The disposables market has ballooned at such a rate that there is an urgent need for reliable, in-depth data,” said Tim Phillips, managing director of Tamarind Intelligence, which produces ECigIntelligence. “This new tracker will provide the intelligence that players at every level in the industry have been crying out for as they formulate their strategy on disposable products.”

  • Scotland Targets Disposable Vapes

    Scotland Targets Disposable Vapes

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    The first minister of Scotland has announced a consultation on a government plan to curb the sale of single-use vapes, reports the BBC.

    “In the next year, we will take action to reduce vaping—particularly among children,” said Humza Yousaf, adding that one of the options under consideration was a complete ban on disposable e-cigarettes.

    A recent Scottish government report found that 22 percent of all under-18s—around 78,000 people—are believed to have used a vape last year, with more young people using them than smoking cigarettes.

    It found that most e-cigarette users under 18 prefer single-use vapes.

    The review by Zero Waste Scotland estimated that up to 2.7 million single-use vapes were littered in Scotland last year. The study estimated that there were 543,000 users of e-cigarettes in Scotland and predicted that without intervention, that will rise to 900,000 by 2027.

    Scotland joins several countries such as France that are considering a ban on disposables.

  • UK Councils Want to Ban Disposables

    UK Councils Want to Ban Disposables

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    Councils in England and Wales are urging the U.K. government to ban sales of single-use vapor devices by 2024, citing environmental and health concerns, reports Reuters.

    The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales, argued that a ban needs to be implemented quickly to prevent disposables from flooding the U.K. market as other markets close. The European Union has proposed a ban in 2026, and France is implementing a ban in December 2023.

    “Disposable vapes are fundamentally flawed in their design and inherently unsustainable products, meaning an outright ban will prove more effective than attempts to recycle more vapes,” said David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s community well-being board, referring to disposable vapes’ inability to be easily recycled due to the batteries not being a separate unit.

    “Disposables have been around for well over a decade and provide a low-priced accessible product that helps smokers to quit smoking tobacco,” said John Dunne, director-general of the U.K. Vaping Industry Association, defending disposable vapes. He said the industry is working to limit environmental impact, and he warned that a ban would lead to a larger black market. 

  • France Considers Ban on Disposables

    France Considers Ban on Disposables

    Image: kotoyamagami | Adobe Stock

    The French government may ban disposable electronic cigarettes by the end of this year, Health Minister Francois Braun said on May 3, according to Barron’s.

    “I’m in favor of a ban,” Braun told broadcaster France Inter, adding that the devices “lead some of our young people toward using tobacco.”

    “Smoking is a scourge; it kills 75,000 people per year” in France, he said.

    Although President Emmanuel Macron’s government has no majority in Parliament, ministers would “work with lawmakers” to reach a deal on a ban, Braun said.

    It could be enacted “before the end of this year,” he added.

    The ban may form part of a new anti-smoking plan the health ministry is working on for the coming five years.

    Sweet-flavored and fruit-flavored one-use electronic cigarettes—known as “puffs” in France—are sold in brightly colored packaging costing an estimated €8 ($8.83) to €12 for 500 puffs.