If vapes have no haters, I’m dead

Why my disdain for vapes is actually environmental activism

Vapes (and e-cigarettes) have become increasingly popular in recent years; the devices were initially sold to the masses as a ‘healthier’ alternative to smoking that could help you quit smoking. The NHS even has advice about choosing the right vape to stop smoking. More recently, however, researchers have suggested that vapes are still associated with poor health outcomes and that it’s unclear what the long term effects of vaping will be. Additionally, people (largely young people) who never smoked cigarettes have tried vaping.  As of yesterday (June 1st 2025) the sale of disposable vapes was banned in the UK. The announcement made last year was part of a bid to reduce the number of young people vaping and the subsequent environmental impacts. But will it work and what does it have to do with the environment? A recent report found that the number of people vaping in the UK has stalled and there has already been a decrease in disposable vape purchases. This suggests that people are already making adjustments to the type of vaping device they use, or stopping completely. 

Before vapes even hit shelves their production raises some environmental justice concerns. The production of disposable vapes further intensifies the already problematic mining that occurs in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Most vapes batteries require lithium, the mining of which drastically alters landscapes. Additionally, the people who work in mines are subject to inhumane conditions. Vapes aren’t the only technology that require lithium batteries. The labour exploitation, displacement and violence in the DRC is not solely because of vapes but the demand for them directly contributes. Once disposable vapes have been used their cases are extremely damaging to the planet for a few reasons. They have quickly become one of the most prolific types of litter in the UK. In Scotland, an estimated 2.7 million vapes were littered in 2022. Other reports have suggested that 8.2 million single-use vapes are thrown away each week or incorrectly recycled. Disposable vapes are almost entirely made of plastic casings which are frequently discarded on the streets. These cases aren’t biodegradable and contribute to microplastics being found in soil and water systems leading to adverse outcomes for ecosystems. In addition to being a common litter item vape liquid is harmful to wildlife; a recent paper found that vape liquids can lead to mortality of aquatic species when they seep into these environments. Cigarettes were previously one of the largest forms of plastic waste in aquatic systems and vapes are set to take their place. Strides had been made in recent years to reduce the amount of plastics entering marine and freshwater environments, but poor management of vape waste has the potential to undermine those efforts. Single-use vapes being carelessly discarded also presents the risk of causing fires when they are thrown away with other waste. This is because the lithium-ion batteries in vapes can overheat, especially in warmer weather, or leak increasing the risk of ignition. 

The disposable vape ban is understandably welcomed by environmentalists. An item that intensifies plastic pollution, increases mortality of aquatic ecosystems and might set garbage vans on fire probably shouldn’t be packaged in bright colours and marketed towards children as ‘bubble gum rainbow’. However, people who are addicted to vaping need support. The government banning the sale of disposable vapes has the potential for some people to seek out alternatives from unregulated providers. An article (from the albeit biassed Vaping Post) argues that there’s already a substantial ‘vape black market’ and this ban will only drive more people towards these providers. Bias aside, this is something the government does need to tackle. Moreover, the messaging from the government, NHS and doctors more broadly needs to be consistent about how people can effectively stop smoking without reliance on e-cigarettes. More needs to be done to support those who struggle with vaping and smoking addictions. Many people who currently vape were misled by marketing and inconsistent medical advice. Vaping is just another example of how capitalism drives behaviours and products that have devastating impacts for planet, people and society for the purpose of making a small proportion of individuals wealthy. There was already a steady decrease in the number of people who smoke cigarettes. In the mid 1970s roughly 50% of British people smoked compared to roughly 10% now. In recent years various reports indicated that Gen Z (people born between 1997-2012) were smoking less than previous generations. This shift away from smoking cost the UK economy an estimated £9.3 billion in lost taxes as of 2023. Tobacco companies are investing heavily in vaping to combat waning profits not to help people quit smoking. Public health and the environment are not important,  increasing shareholder value is. Some of the leading tobacco companies, such as British American Tobacco (BAT), held a 17.4% of the global market for e-cigarettes in 2021. The disposable vape ban is likely to reduce a significant amount of plastic pollution in the UK, and hopefully see a reduction in people (especially young people) vaping. More needs to be done to support those who struggle with vaping and smoking addictions. We need leaders who prioritise public health and environmental corporate interests. We obviously don't have that. In future it would be more beneficial for our government to prevent this style of marketing products that will undoubtedly cause harm, rather than allow these sales then pull the rug from under people when they've become addicted.

Article by Josephine Ewoma