Research from alternative nicotine product supplier, Haypp, has revealed that the disposable vape ban has “not worked as intended”.
The ban on disposable vape products, introduced in June 2025 was designed to reduce the number of vapes thrown away and to diminish appeal to underage users. However, the Haypp research has found that 35% of survey respondents say they purchased a disposable vape since the ban was introduced, indicating an active black market for the product.
The survey of 1,000 vape users revealed that 61% of respondents have reduced how much they vape and 8% saying they quit vaping altogether. However, for those who have quit or reduced how much they vape, they say they have replaced disposable vapes with: traditional cigarettes (41%), nicotine pouches or snus (44%), refillable vapes (17%) and chewing tobacco (12%).
The research also revealed that the main sources for the purchase of illicit disposable vapes are corner shops/convenience stores (51%), car boot sales/market stalls (35%), independent vape shops (28%) and friends or family members (28%).
Senior Director of Scientific Affairs at Haypp, Dr Marina Murphy, said: “Our data shows the ban has had unintended negative consequences. By introducing a blanket ban, the government has inadvertently fuelled the black market and, most concerningly, pushed 41% of those who have reduced their vaping to cigarettes. While it is positive to see 44% moving to tobacco-free alternatives such as nicotine pouches, we must acknowledge that the negative outcomes from the ban far outweigh the positive. As the government begins to implement the Tobacco and Vapes Act, the lesson from the disposable vapes ban is that blanket bans do not work.”
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