Disposable E Cigarette Ban UK 2025

DISPOSABLE VAPE BAN UK 2025

The UK government announced in 2024 that all disposable e cigarettes will be banned from June 1st 2025, this news has been both welcomed and condemned by retailers and customers for numerous reasons however the vaping industry is required to accept that this rule will be intact and must adjust their inventory to be compliant for sale thereafter.

The concept of the disposable e cigarette shot to popularity in around 2021, their convenience paired with their realistic taste and high nicotine content made these products an easy way to switch to vaping and ultimately give up smoking. Of course there are negative impacts of this technology, most prominent is their detrimental environmental impact and underage use which was not helped with flavours like 'bubble gum' or 'cola'. Nevertheless, disposable e cigarettes became the most widely used e cigarette device nationwide and most people could purchase one from their local corner shop eradicating the need to order online or travel further to a specialist e cigarette retailer. 

The most popular brands in this sector are SKE Crystal, Elf Bars & Lost Mary and more recently a rise in 'big puff' devices from the same manufacturers promised a more economical option. Each of these brands sell their devices in the millions on a daily basis and so inevitably have been hard at work to create a device which will be compliant after the ban, here we will take a look at their new devices and compare them to their predecessors.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Seeing a used disposable on the roadside has become a negative by product of the popularity of these products which of course is harmful to the environment and communities as a whole. All battery products must be disposed of in a specialised waste bin due to their built in batteries however irresponsible users would simply throw their used device on the floor, this has unfortunately become the norm on a nationwide scale. 

Disposable e cigarettes are not recyclable and contain materials which could pose potential harm to the environment, therefore a drastic reduction in e cigarette waste would be welcomed and this will undoubtedly occur with the new interchangeable pod system. You will no longer be required to continuously buy a new battery every time, instead simply purchase replacement pods and insert them into your rechargeable battery device.

UNDERAGE USE

This was perhaps the single most substantial reason for the disposable vapes ban in the UK, the rise of underage users of disposable devices. Manufacturers have been guilty of appealing to the younger generation with colourful packaging and enticing flavours which made these products pander to people under the age of 18. Disposable e cigarettes nearly always contain the maximum 20MG nicotine strength which would inevitably lead to underage users getting addicted and continue to pursue a way to purchase them. This goes hand in hand with many brick & mortar shops selling to underage kids and online stores not performing the legally bound age verification checks making purchasing these products simple.

It has previously been claimed that disposable e cigarettes are used by up to 69% of underage users(11 to 17 year olds), this is largely due to their cheap price and widespread availability[1]. The UK disposable  e cigarette ban will reduce this percentage massively and will be welcome news for concerned parents.

BLACK MARKET PRODUCTS

As with any product on the open market, a rise in popularity will lead to an inevitable rise in counterfeit and untested products which was most prominent in the e cigarette industry. Trading standards have seized millions of products and countless overseas shipments of illegal disposable devices which would have ended up on the shelves of UK retailers had they not have been detected. Millions however still reached the UK market and pose a significant health risk due to their unregulated manufacturer and unknown ingredients. 

In 2024, approximately 9 million illegal e cigarette devices were seized from retailers/wholesalers and it can safely be assumed that a lot more slipped through the net and found their way into consumers hands. The e cigarette black market is vast due to the demand, trading standards have committed to issuing on the spot fines for retailers selling illegal devices after June 1st and plan to put more patrols on the streets. These more stringent penalties and a more visible enforcement presence will no doubt reduce the number of black market disposables being sold to customers. 

 

SKE CRYSTAL 600 VS SKE CRYSTAL PRO 600

The SKE Crystal 600 disposable was arguably the most trending device of its type, its precise flavour profiles was paramount to its success and they could be found in nearly every retail shop in the UK. The SKE Crystal 600 is inhale activated and powered by a 500mAh battery.

The new SKE Crystal Pro 600 is nearly identical in shape & size, however the pod is now interchangeable and the device is chargeable via its bottom mounted TYPE C port. You can find all of the best selling flavours in its pre filled pods, it is simply a case of buying a pod and inserting it into your Crystal Pro device. The SKE Crystal Pro 600 is also inhale activated and powered by a 400mAh battery. 

ELF 600 VS ELF PREFILLED POD 600

 

The Elfbar 600 was the first disposable to make a considerable mark in this sector and is widely known as the manufacturer to have started the meteoric rise of disposable vapes in the UK. The Elfbar 600 became popular due to their wide range of flavours and ease of use, this inhale activated device was available in nearly all retail shops including major supermarkets. 

The Elfbar Prefilled pod 600 kit is the same size as its predecessor, this time with the ability of charging the device and interchangeable pods. Elfbar have continued with their huge range of flavours which are simply slotted into the top to provide up to 600 puffs a time. The device is fast charged via the bottom mounted TYPE C port, the intuitive LED ring at the base indicates the current battery level. 

LOST MARY BM600 VS LOST MARY PREFILLED POD BM600

The Lost Mary 600 was perhaps one of the most iconic disposable devices to flood the e cigarette industry upon their inception, their bright colours and unorthodox shape ensured that most people knew what a Lost Mary was when they saw one. The Lost Mary device is compact and inhale activated, their most popular flavours are cherry ice, kiwi passionfruit guava & juicy peach. 

The Lost Mary 600 prefilled pod device is identical in shape and size as its predecessor however now has the ability to interchange prefilled pods, you will find all of their most popular flavours available in twin packs of pods all mixed to a 20MG nic salt strength. The device is charged via its TYPE C port and tastes identical to the previous version. 

LOST MARY BM6000/LOST MARY BM6000S

The Lost Mary BM6000 was one of the first 'Big Puff' disposables to make waves in the e cigarette domain, this was due to most customers already using their smaller 600 puff devices and switching to the BM6000 for a more economical option. The Lost Mary BM6000 is powered by a built in 650mAh battery and rechargeable via its TYPE C port, it also features a screen to display its battery level. The BM6000 was lauded for its intense flavour and smooth draw as well as its easy setup process, these 3 factors helped this device increase sales exponentially on a nationwide scale.

The Lost Mary Replaceable Pod BM6000 is the shape and size as the previous non compliant version, it retains its screen and TYPE C charging port however they have significantly increased the battery capacity to 1000mAh. This time around, the prefilled pod is inserted into the top, once the pod is finished simply dispose of it and replace with another of your choice. The prefilled pods consists of a 2ML liquid pod and a 10ML refill container, providing a maximum of up to 6000 puffs.

PIXL 6000 VS PIXL 8000

The new PIXL 8000 prefilled kit is an upgrade to the first version, they have improved every aspect of the device and introduced a wide range of unique & intense prefilled pods. They have retained the 'BOOST' mode and child locking function and the battery percentage display. PIXL have released the same popular flavours from their 6000 range in this new device however this time you can get up to 8000 puffs due to its 2ML+10ML refill pod setup. 

HAYATI TWIST VS HAYATI PRO MAX 6000+

The Hayati twist is a clever cylindrical device which could provide up to 6000 puffs and featured some of Hayatis most popular flavours like 'Strawberry Mojito' & 'Blue Razz Gummy Bear'. The device required the user to insert the prefilled pod onto the battery and twist until you hear a click, then it was simply a case of inhaling when required. The Hayati twist was not rechargeable which is a slight drawback, especially in the case of the battery running out before the liquid.

The Hayati Pro Max+ is similar in size but with a square body as opposed to round. The setup is the same as the Hayati twist however this time you simply click on the prefilled pod without having to rotate. The Hayati Pro Max+ features a rechargeable 850mAh battery which can be charged via its TYPE C port, moreover they have incorporated a screen that shows the battery percentage which is a welcome addition.

 

 

ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES

Advantages: The most obvious advantage is that consumers can save money by buying refills for their device as opposed to repeatedly buying a new battery. Each retailer has ensured that the same wide range of flavours available in their previous device is available in refill pod form, as well as a host of new flavours. 

The most important advantage will be the environmental impact of this technology. Customers will no longer be required to purchase a battery device on a regular occasion which will directly result in a reduction of battery waste and the irresponsible littering of disposable devices on the roadside.

 

Disadvantages: It should be noted that refill pods wont always be available from your local corner shop however they will be easily available online or at specialist vape shops. There will also be a number of manufacturers who will cease to produce their disposable devices so it is very possible you could see your favourite brand disappear however with the sheer vast number of premium compliant products available, this will not affect a large percentage of users.