The Best Alternatives To Disposable Vapes: How To Beat The Disposable Ban
The days of disposable vapes being sold in the UK may be numbered as our Government look to crack down on youth vaping once and for all and remove the brightly coloured devices that we all know from shop shelves in the not-so-distant future.
We take a look at the timeline of events that have led to this, as well as discuss how you can prepare yourself for the disposable vape ban as and when it happens, and get ahead of the ban by changing from using a disposable vape to using a refillable vape kit.
Are Disposable Vapes Being Banned In The UK?
First announced back in the tail end of 2023 by now former PM Rishi Sunak, the Stopping the Start campaign was set out to stop future generations of young people from becoming nicotine addicts by raising the legal smoking age one year every year as well as banning the sale and supply of disposable vapes.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill featured the banning of disposable vapes as well as restricting flavours and packaging of vapes to make them less appealing to children wanting to use them.
However, a sudden snap election in the UK in July of this year (2024) meant that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill could not be pushed through all legalities before Parliament dissolved. But despite being under a new Government in power, it appears that Labour are continuing where the Tories left off by picking up the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as it was and continuing the pursuit to ban disposable vapes from sale in the UK eventually.
The original date that was being speculated for the ban coming into effect under the Conservatives was April 1st 2025, however there is not set date for it coming into effect now under Labour. However, recently Scotland announced that they will be banning disposable vapes from sale effective from April 1st 2025, which may trigger Labour to follow suit and replicate this but nothing is confirmed at the time of writing.
The Reasons Behind Disposable Vapes Being Banned
The original announcement of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill being bought in was fuelled by the recent survey results published by Action on Smoking and Health which showed that a staggering 69% of underage vapers (aged 11-17 years old) were regularly using disposable vapes, namely Elf Bar or Lost Mary, as their preffered device of choice.
However, 2024 survey results showed that this number had declined from the year previous, with a total of 54% of 11-17-year-olds admitting that they use a disposable vape as their preferred vape device. Whilst still higher than 7.7% in 2021, this has dropped year on year rather than growing as previously observed.
These survey results were the fuel to the government's fire to want to ban disposable vapes as they're wanting to crack down on youth vaping once and for all and the right thing to do in their eyes was to remove disposable vapes as an option for youths to use and that means banning the supply and sale of them for anyone in the UK.
The mention of restricting vape flavours was also mentioned, as survey results showed that Fruit flavour vape juices were the most popular amongst underage users, and disposable vapes are notoriously known for their fruity flavour concoctions, so eliminating flavoured vape juice would limit the appeal to young people wanting to use vape devices.
This was met with criticism from vaping advocate groups because while restricting vape flavours would reduce the appeal to youths wanting to pick up a vape, it could also harm adults who rely on using vape flavours to continue vaping and abstaining from smoking cigarettes. We explore this in more depth a little further on in this blog.
The Best Alternative Vape Kits For Disposable Vapes
If you're a disposable vape user, you may be considering what vape kit to use as an alternative for your disposable device. There are plenty of good quality vape devices on the market today and we offer a wide range of them here at LiQuid. We'll list some of the best ones below and explain why we feel they're the best alternative for disposables.
Aspire R1
The Aspire R1 is the perfect alternative for disposable vapes as it replicates the same vaping style as what a standard disposable does, but has features that a disposable does not.
Despite looking like a disposable, Aspire R1 is a refillable pod vape kit, meaning you can top it up with vape juice as and when it runs out, something you can't do with a disposable vape like an Elf Bar.
The device is also rechargeable via USB-C, and it's estimated that you can get 9 full life cycles of the battery charge before the coil within the refillable vape pod burns out.
Once the coil does burn out, you will have to dispose of this device and replace it with a new one, but it lasts considerably longer than what a disposable does so if you're wanting to save money, the Aspire R1 is the best option for you!
Innokin Klypse
If you wanted to step away from disposables and get a device that can be refilled and recharged, the Innokin Klypse may be the best option for you!
This small discreet size pod system uses refillable pods which already have the coils preinstalled, and once the coil inside the pod is burnt out, you replace the pod with a new one and you're then ready to go!
The device is powered by a 700mah battery and will give you all day use on a full charge, and this only takes 45 minutes to fully charge from 5% meaning you won't be without your vape for long while it recharges.
Pair this with our Bar Salts range for the perfect disposable like vape experience which will save you a lot of money in the long run compared to using disposable vapes!
Aspire Gotek X
Another option if you're looking for a small refillable pod vape kit is the Aspire Gotek X. This palm size vape may be small but it certainly packs a punch when you use it!
The Gotek X uses refillable pods which are replaceable once the coil inside the pod burns out. And the coil used in each pod features Aspire's signature mesh coil build, which enhances the flavour of your vape juice used as well as providing long lasting life before it burns out.
The Aspire Gotek X isn't much more than the cost of a disposable vape and it will last you a lot longer than what a disposable vape does as it can recharged a high number of times before the battery cells begin wearing down. We couldn't recommend it more if you're wanting to beat the ban!
These are just a few of the great vape kits that we have available to buy at LiQuid and we have many more available to purchase to use as an alternative for disposable vapes. Check out the Aspire Cyber G Slim for a pocket sized vape device that's similar to a disposable vape, but has a battery size over 5 times the size of what's in a standard disposable vape!
Or if you're looking for something more longer lasting, try the Aspire Flexus Pro which has advanced features like variable wattage.
How To Make Your Vape Device Taste Feel Like A Disposable
Even though you're not using a disposable vape, this doesn't mean that you cannot replicate the same vaping style as what a disposable vape gives you.
When you use a disposable vape, it gives a mouth to lung vaping experience, but it's also capable of doing restricted direct to lung as well depending how you inhale. This can easily be replicated with any vaping device providing you use the right coil and have your airflow adjusted appropriately.
It's estimated that the wattage output of a disposable vape is around 12w, meaning the coil ohm resistance could be anywhere from 0.8ohm to 1.2ohm. So if you're wanting to make your vape device like a disposable we would recommend using a coil within this ohm resistance range.
You can close off some of the airflow holes on your vape as well as this will restrict the amount of air which gets to the coil to give a tighter and less airy draw which replicates how a disposable feels too.
Bar Salt E-Liquid - The Best Vape Juice Alternative for Disposables
One of the main reasons people enjoy using disposable vapes, aside from the convenience factor involved with them, is for the rich and delicious flavours of the vape juice which is used in the devices.
Due to the TPD regulations however, the maximum amount of vape juice which can be used in a disposable vape device is 2ml. Plus, if you're a frequent vaper and use your disposable a lot to get the great taste of the mouth watering vape juice housed inside, chances are it isn't going to last long before that 2ml is gone, and your device is rendered useless.
You'd then have to pay out for a new replacement device and this is where the costs of using disposables soon add up, as you could be spending upwards of £40 a week just on disposable vapes. We couldn't stand by and watch people constantly spend out on disposable vapes which is why we created our range of Bar Salts nicotine salt vape juices.
Bar Salts was created by our team of flavour experts who gathered inspiration from popular flavours of disposable vapes and they've created an incredible range of nicotine salt vape juices which we offer at the most affordable price possible.
For less than half the price of a disposable vape, you can get a 10ml bottle of Bar Salts vape juice which will last considerably longer than a standard disposable. Plus we have over 20 different flavours to choose from, and also available in tapered nicotine strengths, which is convenient for those who may not want the standard 20mg nicotine strength that disposable vapes come in.
Are Vape Flavours Going To Be Restricted/Banned?
Restricting vape flavours is on the radar of Labour as it was mentioned in the details of what the Tobacco and Vapes Bill entails, so we may see a vape flavour ban coming but this is purely speculation at this present time and there aren't any confirmed details of when and if this is actually going to go ahead.
Should this come into effect, the only flavoured vape juices which will be permitted to be sold will be Mint/Menthol flavour vape juice or tobacco flavour vape juice. We also have some incredible tasting flavours that fall into these categories and are available to buy here at LiQuid.
If you want to stray away from the standard minty or menthol flavours, try our incredible tasting Menthol Mojito in our Bar Salts range. Fresh mint flavour combined with lime and a hint of menthol make this an exceptional flavour that isn't a standard menthol flavour!
However, if you are wanting a more standard mint flavour, we also have Menthol available in our Bar Salt range as well as Spearmint which is a slightly sweeter option for a minty flavour vape juice.
Our flavour experts have spent many years perfecting the range of tobacco flavour vape juices which we have on offer and we're incredibly proud of the range that has been created with 6 different flavours of tobacco vape juice to choose from!
If you prefer a traditional tobacco flavour, we have Virginia Tobacco or British Tobacco and if you wanted to try something new, our Sweet Tobacco is a smooth tobacco base with a sweet caramel twist, and our Black Tobacco is a classic tobacco flavour combined with a liquorice twist.
Written By James Drake
James discovered the world of vaping 7 years ago as an alternative to smoking. Since then, he's become a dedicated enthusiast, experimenting with various e-cigarettes, flavours, and nicotine strengths.
James is committed to sharing his in-depth knowledge to help both new and experienced users make informed decisions about their nicotine alternatives and his blogs are a platform for honest reviews, helpful tips, and discussions.
