The recent ban on disposable vapes in the UK has led to a concerning trend among consumers, with many are now purchasing multiple ‘prefilled pod’ kits and using them in a manner akin to disposables, discarding the lithium-ion batteries with each new one.
Saif Khan, director at online retailer Wizvape, said: “Prefilled pod vape kits come with rechargeable and reusable batteries and device, compatible with replacement pods. The consumer only needs to buy the device once, then replace the pods as and when they run out.
“However, we’re finding that many consumers are purchasing five to 10 devices at once and throwing them away when the pod runs out - just as they would have done with disposable vape kits.
“When comparing the annual costs of vaping using prefilled pod kits under different purchasing behaviours, a stark contrast emerges. A prefilled pod kit costs between £5 and £25, depending on its features. For a consumer who buys a single prefilled pod kit with a device at £15 (the middle of the price range), then purchases pods only for the remainder of the year (usually between £5 and £10 for a pack of two), the average annual expenditure is approximately £736, primarily driven by the cost of pods.
“However, when a consumer buys prefilled pod kits and treats them as they would disposable vapes - let’s say they purchase five devices each month, though many customers purchase 10 or more per month - there is an astonishing annual cost of £2,220. That’s an absolutely staggering increase of £1,484 a year compared to using prefilled pod kits as intended.
Khan goes on to highlight a little more on the environmental impact this could have. “Lithium-ion batteries contain harmful materials which can leach into the environment if not disposed of properly. By treating these kits as disposables, consumers are exacerbating the issue of electronic waste, which is already a pressing problem in the UK: indeed, this was a driving force in the ban on disposable vapes in the first place.
“It’s crucial that we address these issues and seek solutions that encourage responsible vaping practices through consumer education. We are trying to educate consumers on the impact this mistake can have, both on their wallets and the planet.”
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