Smoking combustible cigarettes saw its peak in 1974. [1] Since then, it has been in steady decline – and for good reason. If you have been thinking about quitting combustible cigarettes for a while now, you may be searching for suitable alternatives that are less harmful. One alternative that can help you eliminate combustible cigarettes from your life is vape products or disposable vape products.

How Do Vape Products Differ From Combustible Cigarettes?

Combustible cigarettes and vape products have a different makeup, mode of operation, and health effects.

Composition

To make traditional cigarettes, tobacco leaves are dried, processed, and then wrapped in cigarette paper. [2] When you light up your cigarette, the chemicals inside combust. There are over 5,000 chemicals in a traditional cigarette, and about 70 of those are harmful to our bodies. Both manufactured traditional cigarettes and hand-rolled tobacco cigarettes are available for smokers.

Vapes, on the other hand, are electronic devices. Vapes vaporize a liquid that contains nicotine and other ingredients. The liquid is heated inside the vape, producing vapour rather than smoke.

Operation

Vapes and combustible cigarettes operate quite differently. Traditional cigarettes combust to produce smoke, and smokers then inhale the smoke into their lungs.

When you use vapes, there is no combustion. The heating element inside the vape vaporizes the liquid and produces an aerosol or vapour. This vapour, which contains nicotine and flavouring, is inhaled into the lungs. [3]

Health Effects

Smoking combustible cigarettes is a health risk as it increases the risk of getting lung cancer, mouth cancer, and throat cancer. The harmful chemicals that combust when you light up a traditional cigarette can also damage your arteries. In addition, combustible cigarettes stain your teeth and can result in premature ageing. [4]

Overall, using vape products is considered far less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes. Because you are not combusting over 5,000 chemicals, you aren’t exposing your body to thousands of harmful substances.

What Are Disposable Vape Products?

While vape devices can be used more than one time, disposable vape devices are designed to be used just once. Traditional vape products have rechargeable batteries, and you can refill them with more e-liquid. Disposable vapes have a built-in battery that cannot be recharged.

Disposable vapes are often small and compact, much like the size of a traditional cigarette. To use them, you inhale on their mouthpiece. This activates the heating element and produces the vapour. Disposable vapes typically have no special settings or buttons.

Disposable vapes offer an easy-to-use vaping experience and are designed for users who are new to vaping and prefer a simple option. Because there are no settings and customised buttons, they are simple to use. Once the e-liquid inside the vape runs out or the battery drains, users can throw away the entire device.

Vapes that can be tossed after a single use have become popular due to their convenience. However, it’s important to note that they do generate more waste compared to refillable and rechargeable vapes. Disposable vapes are categorised as electrical and electronic equipment and must be recycled. [5]

What Is the Difference Between Traditional Vape Products and Disposable Vape Products?

A few of the differences between traditional vape devices and disposable vape devices have been touched upon in the previous section. However, there are more differences.

• Customisation: A disposable vape doesn’t offer customisation options. The vape is pre-filled with an e-liquid flavour and has a specified amount of nicotine. Vape devices, on the other hand, can be adjusted for airflow, temperature, flavour, and the amount of nicotine. Vape devices also let you choose between a cartridge or a tank.

• Price: Because vape devices can be customised, they are often more expensive than disposable vapes. Although the upfront cost of vapes is more expensive, over time, users can save money by simply refilling the e-liquid and recharging the battery. Disposable vapes are cheaper to purchase, but the cost can quickly add up if you are purchasing one a day.

• Environmental Footprint: While disposable vapes are a convenient alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, they generate more waste than traditional vape devices as you must discard (and recycle) the entire device after use. Reusable vape devices, however, can be used for a long time. In addition, some of the individual parts can be replaced.

• Variety: There is a wider range of traditional vape products on the market. This includes different styles, different operations, and different accessories. Disposable vapes are typically quite limited in their design and flavours.

How Disposable Vapes Work

Disposable vapes are simple in design and therefore easy to use. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Activation: To activate a disposable vape, simply inhale from the mouthpiece. There are no buttons to turn on or off. Once you inhale, the heating element is automatically activated.

• Heating: Once you inhale from the mouthpiece, the device heats the heating element inside.

• Vaporization: The hot heating element comes into contact with the flavoured e-liquid inside the device. This reaction vapourises the e-liquid.

• Inhalation: Once the e-liquid turns into a vapour, it is ready to be inhaled. The vapour delivers the nicotine and flavour.

The in-built battery is designed to last as long as the e-liquid. Once both run out, you can discard the device.

Disposable Vapes Are a Good Alternative to Cigarettes

If you plan on switching to vaping, disposable vapes are a good alternative to combustible cigarettes.

• Disposable Vapes Are Convenient: These vapes are small and compact, so you can take them just about anywhere. You can also keep them discreetly in your handbag or pocket.

• They Come With Different Levels of Nicotine: You can purchase disposable vapes with different amounts of nicotine. This lets you choose one that’s best suited for what you need. You can purchase strengths such as high, medium, low, or even nicotine-free.

• Disposable Vapes Taste Better: Disposable vapes come in many flavours, such as traditional tobacco, menthol, and fruit mixtures.

• They Have a Simple Design: Because these vapes have a basic design, they are user-friendly. This makes them a good choice for beginners who have just made the switch from traditional cigarettes and want an option that isn’t complicated to use.

• They Require Zero Maintenance: If you are unsure of how to maintain a traditional vape product, then a disposal vape is a good choice. There is no maintenance required, and you don’t have to recharge it, refill it, or clean it.

Easy and Convenient

If you are looking for a convenient alternative to smoking, consider vaping. Disposable vape products offer a user-friendly and easy way of getting your nicotine into your system without the harmful effects of traditional cigarettes.

References:

[1] https://ash.org.uk/uploads/UK-Tobacco-Industry.pdf

[2] https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/tobacco/en/l-3/2.htm

[3] https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/using-e-cigarettes-to-stop-smoking/

[4] https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/lungs-breathing/effects-of-smoking

[5] https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2022-0216/