A new survey from UK vape and smoking cessation brand, Elfbar, has released a major UK vaping study, marking a year since the introduction of the single-use ban.
The survey of 6,000 UK adults, conducted by researchers Opinium in May this year, suggests more than seven in ten daily vapers (72%) who previously used single-use devices have switched to reusables, with around 80% buying separate refills.
However - concerningly, one in six of those who once used single-use vapes have relapsed to smoking or started smoking more - an outcome industry stakeholders had warned could emerge and one that was highlighted in the Government’s Impact Assessment ahead of the ban.
The survey identified a gradual increase in smoking prevalence, with 16% of respondents saying they now regularly smoke, compared with 15% in December 2025 and 14% in December 2024 - suggesting the ban may have disrupted quit attempts for adult smokers who had previously used single-use vapes.
Interestingly for the convenience sector, when asked what would most increase the likelihood of returning depleted vape devices or used refill pods to a collection point, nearly half of vapers (48%) said that more convenient collection points would encourage them to recycle.
The latest report is part of a series of ongoing studies examining smoker behaviour and public attitudes to vaping-related issues. Opinium has surveyed 46,000 adults since 2023 (across eight separate waves), making it one of the most comprehensive datasets on vaping behaviours and trends in the UK.
The findings “reinforce vaping’s critical role in helping smokers quit,” Elfbar said, alongside ongoing challenges such as the illicit trade and public misconceptions about vaping that continue to deter many smokers from switching.
The results also underline the importance of proportionate, evidence-based regulation as the Tobacco & Vapes Act enters its secondary legislation phase.
The survey also shows consumer engagement with illicit products, with one in four current vapers (25%) saying they’ve knowingly bought them (30% in December 2024). Of these, 39% had done so within the past three months. The findings align with reports from Trading Standards that the illegal vape market has fallen since the single-use ban, though it remains a significant challenge.
Purchases of illicit products made in the last month were most commonly from retail shops (16%), followed by market or street sellers (11%), online (7%) and friends (4%).
“It’s positive to find that the transition to reusable vapes has embedded.”
Eve Peters (left), director of government affairs for Elfbar in the UK, said: “One year on from the single-use vapes ban, it’s positive to find that the transition to reusable vapes has embedded, with refills being purchased and devices reused as intended.
“However, as highlighted prior to the ban, disruption to established product categories can have unintended consequences, including relapse for some smokers. This underlines the need for clear, consistent public messaging on the effectiveness of vaping as a smoking cessation tool, alongside proportionate regulation that supports smokers to make the switch.”
No comments yet