Insights into the Rising Use of Disposable Vapes Among UK Youth

A recent study has provided a detailed examination of the increasing trend of disposable vape use among young people in the UK.

The research, conducted by the University of East Anglia (UEA), reveals that while young people often view smoking and vaping as interchangeable, they are significantly more aware of the potential harms of vaping compared to the dangers of smoking.

The study also indicates that banning disposable vape products or raising their prices could push young people back to smoking tobacco. Many of the participants believed that even if disposable vapes were banned, they could still access them by stockpiling or purchasing illegally.

Youth use of disposable vapes has surged in recent years in the UK. Despite this rise, little was previously known about the motivations behind this trend and the experiences of young people who use these products. This study aimed to explore these aspects, providing valuable insights into the factors influencing youth vaping behavior.

Caitlin Notley, Lead Researcher and Professor of Addiction Sciences at UEA’s Norwich Medical School, led the study.

The research recruited 29 young people aged between 16 and 20, employing various methods to explore their motivations, experiences, and perceptions of using disposable vapes. The approaches included individual interviews, recorded conversations in friendship pairs using prompt cards without a researcher present, and small group interviews designed to support those with special educational needs.

Key Findings:
Individual Motivations:
Participants highlighted several appealing characteristics of disposable vapes, such as affordability, ease of access, and attractive designs, colors, names, and flavors.

Behavior Patterns:
Many young people engaged in both vaping and tobacco smoking, viewing these behaviors as interchangeable based on context. There was a common misconception about the relative harms of vaping compared to smoking.

Social and Emotional Factors:
Experimentation with vapes was common, and many young people used vapes to manage stress and anxiety. Vaping was also identified as a social activity widely accepted among peer groups. Notably, participants were more informed about the potential harms of vaping than those associated with smoking.

Regulation:
Strict regulatory measures, such as banning disposable vape products or increasing their prices, could lead young people to revert to smoking tobacco. Many of the young people believed that if disposable vapes were banned, they would still be able to use them by stockpiling or purchasing illegally.

Co-author Dr. Ian Pope, an emergency physician at UEA’s Norwich Medical School, commented:

“Disposable vapes are particularly attractive and accessible to young people in the UK, contributing to the normalization of vaping within this demographic. Despite recognizing the potential health risks, young people continue to engage in both vaping and smoking, often interchangeably. The widespread availability of underage vape sales and illicit vapes further exacerbates this issue.”

The researchers suggest that young people’s use of disposable vapes could be reduced by tighter enforcement of age-of-sale regulations and restrictions on packaging and marketing. However, they also note that such interventions could lead to significant unintended consequences, including increased use of illicit vapes and a rise in tobacco use among young people.

Prof Notley added: “Therefore, any interventions to combat the use of disposables may need to be accompanied by policies to reduce access to illicit vapes and tobacco and increase awareness of the relative harms of tobacco compared to vapes.”

The research was conducted in partnership with the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the Nicotine, Tobacco and Vaping Research Group at London South Bank University. It was funded by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust through the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Research Capability Fund.