The Popularity and Hazards of Disposable E-cigarettes.

Aug.31.2022
The Popularity and Hazards of Disposable E-cigarettes.
Disposable e-cigarettes are becoming popular, but they are also harmful to the environment and lack a simple solution.

Cigarettes were once the easiest thing in the world to casually discard.


Every year, trillions of cigarette butts are discarded onto our streets, parks, and beaches. The Ocean Conservancy estimates that cigarette butts make up 25% of the total trash collected, more than double the amount of any other type of litter. It is estimated that 1.69 billion pounds of cigarette butts become waste globally each year.


Although some smokers may believe that their cigarette butts will eventually decompose, it actually takes several decades for them to do so. Cigarette filters are not made of harmless cotton; they are made of cellulose acetate and approximately 12,000 non-biodegradable plastic fibers.


The chemicals in a single cigarette butt can contaminate hundreds of gallons of water and can also be dangerous, causing fatal fires that burn hundreds of acres of land each year. In recent years, however, there has been a significant shift with many smokers turning to e-cigarettes, largely due to the convenience of disposable e-cigarettes.


In fact, disposable electronic cigarettes appear to be taking over the industry as they are the simplest and most user-friendly e-cigarette devices on the market. However, in this process, we have created a new environmental hazard for which there is currently no easy solution.


Among all e-cigarettes in the market, there is none more popular than disposable e-cigarettes, especially among young people.


More than half (54%) of young e-cigarette users have tried disposable e-cigarettes, according to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey. This data was also confirmed by the 2020 Tobacco and Health Population Assessment Study. Among young people aged 18-24 who reported using e-cigarette products in the past 30 days, 38% have used disposable e-cigarettes, while among those over 25, the proportion is 17%.


At the UK Vaping Expo in May 2022, almost every vendor presented a variety of disposable e-cigarettes. Many of these were new brands taking advantage of the trend, alongside established companies such as Innokin, which introduced 10 different flavors of new disposable e-cigarettes.


Dimitris Agrafiotis, the Executive Director of the Smoke-free Association of Tennessee and Brand Ambassador/Designer for Innokin Technology, stated that disposable e-cigarettes are undoubtedly the best-selling products within the category of smoke-free electronic cigarettes.


According to Agrafiotis, disposable e-cigarettes have attracted impulsive buyers at various sales points as well as new users who enjoy the convenience of the product. They can be purchased almost anywhere that cigarettes are sold, and can be easily opened and used, making them a perfect solution for beginners.


He said, "In my experience, smokers who quit using cigarettes often use disposable e-cigarettes when they do not want to carry their normal equipment with them, such as during a lavish dinner or when they need to be more independent.


In the past few years, the technology behind disposable electronic cigarettes has been continually improving. Most electronic cigarettes now have a capacity that can equate to around 400 puffs. Some electronic cigarettes with larger batteries can even produce up to 5000 puffs.


Another major improvement is the use of automatic switches. When a smoker uses an electronic cigarette, this switch activates the device and heats the coils, providing a seamless vaping experience. Thanks to nicotine salts, disposable electronic cigarettes provide a smoother vaping experience. Although the nicotine content in most disposable electronic cigarettes is limited to 5 milligrams or less, smokers can satisfy their nicotine cravings without experiencing any throat irritation or disturbance to the taste experience.


Speaking of taste, this is another advantage of disposable e-cigarettes that surpasses rechargeable e-cigarette devices. Manufacturers typically add sweeteners to disposable e-cigarettes to make them more popular in taste, without the concern of sweeteners clogging up and damaging the device. Once this happens, the disposable e-cigarette will be thrown away.


The range of flavors available for disposable electronic cigarettes is astonishing. As more and more manufacturers tap into the growth of this market, they are attracting smokers with interesting and often exotic flavors, such as Buddha's Hand citron and starfruit.


Although battery technology hasn't significantly improved, some brands are creating larger built-in batteries or rechargeable batteries while striving to increase the number of puffs generated. This is a step in the right direction to reduce battery waste.


Statement


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry professionals for sharing and learning purposes.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the truthfulness and accuracy of its content. The compilation of this article is only for industry communication and research purposes.


Due to limitations in the level of translation, the translated article may not fully reflect the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS aligns completely with the Chinese government's stance and statements related to domestic, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and international matters.


Translation: The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us to have it removed.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Exclusive | China Releases E-Cigarette Regulatory “Status Report”, First Comprehensive Disclosure of Oversight Framework and International Cooperation
Exclusive | China Releases E-Cigarette Regulatory “Status Report”, First Comprehensive Disclosure of Oversight Framework and International Cooperation
As 2025 draws to a close, China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration has released a white paper–style “Status Report” on e-cigarette regulation, systematically outlining its oversight framework, enforcement outcomes and international cooperation. 2Firsts provides exclusive in-depth reporting and analysis, offering insight into China’s regulatory logic and governance direction.
Dec.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Interpreting FDA’s on! PLUS Authorization: What the Agency’s Press Release Reveals About Its Nicotine Pouch Review Model
Interpreting FDA’s on! PLUS Authorization: What the Agency’s Press Release Reveals About Its Nicotine Pouch Review Model
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that six on! PLUS nicotine pouch products have received Marketing Granted Orders (MGO) through the PMTA pathway. The authorizations were completed under the agency’s nicotine pouch review pilot program in “record time,” with the FDA citing lower levels of harmful constituents while stressing that the decision applies only to the specified products and does not mean they are safe or FDA approved.
Regulations
Dec.20
Mexico moves to advance reforms regulating e-cigarettes and vapes
Mexico moves to advance reforms regulating e-cigarettes and vapes
Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies Health Committee is expected to vote next week on reforms to the General Health Law that would regulate the prohibition, distribution, and sale of electronic cigarettes, vapes, and certain toxic substances, including fentanyl. Lawmakers from Morena insist the legislation must avoid loopholes and resist pressure from the tobacco industry.
Nov.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Al Fakher Partners with U.S. Rapper Snoop Dogg to Launch New Hookah Flavors
Al Fakher Partners with U.S. Rapper Snoop Dogg to Launch New Hookah Flavors
According to Business Wire, AIR Limited has partnered with Snoop Dogg to develop new hookah flavors for its flagship brand Al Fakher. The products will be released on November 3, 2025, across international and German online platforms, expanding the brand’s flavor portfolio.
Nov.21
Alan Zhao: China’s High-Level Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco and Vaping Will Reshape the Global Market
Alan Zhao: China’s High-Level Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco and Vaping Will Reshape the Global Market
Alan Zhao wrote an article interpreting China's highest-level law enforcement action against illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes. He believes that this is not only an upgrade of domestic governance but will also have a profound impact on the global new tobacco supply chain and market pattern.
Dec.19 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Washington Policy Media Flags Surge: China’s Monthly Vape Exports Jump from 2.2M Kg to 14.8M Kg; Crackdown Effectiveness Questioned
Washington Policy Media Flags Surge: China’s Monthly Vape Exports Jump from 2.2M Kg to 14.8M Kg; Crackdown Effectiveness Questioned
The Washington Examiner on December 9, 2025, reported: China's vape export volume to the U.S. rebounded sharply from 2.2 million kilograms to 14.8 million kilograms despite the crackdown. This volatility, confirming the annual multi-billion dollar trade gap, is the "Bullwhip Effect" in action. It transfers massive inventory to the U.S. market, putting the working capital of Chinese manufacturers and the supply chain at severe risk of lock-up and failure. Regulatory escalation is now imminent.
News
Dec.11