UK Disposable Vape Ban Spurs Stockpiling and Black Market Concerns

Key points:

1. 82% of users plan to stock up before the disposable e-cigarette ban, with 37% planning to stock up for three months and 28% planning to stock up for six months or more.

2.The ban may fuel the growth of the black market, with 34% of respondents indicating they would consider purchasing illegal disposable e-cigarettes.

3.The public is overwhelmingly against the ban, with 78% of current users explicitly against the prohibition policy and 77% of people believing that the government has no right to enforce a ban on such products.

4.Experts warn that the policy may backfire, as users may turn to cigarettes or illegal products in the absence of alternative options. Additionally, large-scale stockpiling could pose safety risks for lithium batteries, potentially leading to fires or explosions.

According to The Sun, the UK will ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes from June 1st. However, according to the latest study from the nicotine product eCommerce platform Haypp, 82% of disposable e-cigarette users plan to stock up before the ban goes into effect. 37% of users plan to purchase a three-month supply, while 28% admit they will buy enough e-cigarettes to last them more than six months.

Furthermore, more than a third (34%) of respondents indicated that they would consider purchasing illegal disposable e-cigarettes following the implementation of the ban. Interest was particularly strong among the 18-24 age group (39%) and those over the age of 55 (40%). Additionally, 78% of current disposable e-cigarette users oppose the ban, with 77% believing that the government does not have the right to enforce such a ban on these products.

Haypp's Chief Scientific Affairs Officer, Dr. Marina Murphy, stated:

"In the absence of clear alternative guidance, the forthcoming ban may backfire, causing users to stockpile devices or switch to cigarettes."

The hoarding behavior also hides significant safety hazards. Lithium-ion battery safety expert Professor Paul Christensen reminds users that sealed lithium-ion batteries can become unstable when exposed to heat, moisture, or physical damage, especially when stored in large quantities. These factors may lead to thermal runaway, resulting in fires, the release of toxic gases, or even explosions.