We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
The disposable vape pods have risen in popularity along with Geek bars Refillable Vape Pen
If you've been out to a pub, club or bar as of late, or even just scrolling through TikTok, it's likely you'll have seen a few (read: a lot) of people with a colourful, disposable vape in their hands. With a range of flavours including banana, blue raspberry, cola and cotton candy, and with prices as low as £4, it's easy to see why more and more people find themselves picking up an Elf or Geek bar – particularly when they're splashed all over social media.
Statistics have shown the rapidly rising popularity of disposable vapes, with research revealing the number of e-cigarette users is increasing. Figures have now risen by 8.3% among adults in 2022 (the highest recorded rate), amounting to 4.3 million people in Great Britain. While refillable vapes are most common, the use of disposable vapes is also on the rise, particularly among younger adults. More than half (52.8%) of e-cigarette users aged 18-24-year used disposables as their main type in 2022, a huge jump from only 2.8% in 2021.
But, like smoking traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vapes come with risks - and now, a 12-year-old from Belfast has been put into an induced coma after vaping ravaged her lungs.
Sarah Griffin, who suffers from asthma, was admitted to hospital after struggling to breathe. While in Royal Victoria Hospital, her vitals showed her oxygen levels were incredibly low - with medics deciding to put Sarah in a coma.
Doctors then informed the youngster's mother that Sarah had damaged her lungs by vaping, making it more difficult for her body to fight infection.
While Sarah has recovered, she continues to suffer from lethargy, and will be classed as a high-risk patient for the rest of her life.
The ongoing concerns about the easy accessibility of vapes to children and young people have now seen the government poised to ban the sales of disposable vapes.
Papers seen by The Telegraph reportedly reads that disposable vapes, such as Elf and Geek bars, would no longer be sold in shops.
However, the government is yet to formally announce any measures on this.
Should the ban be implemented, Britain would be following in the footsteps of many other countries in the Western world who have made efforts to curb the use of disposable vapes.
Australia has banned all vaping without a prescription, Germany prohibited flavoured e-cigarettes and New Zealand outlawed most disposable vapes and put curbs on marketing to children.
Earlier this year, one doctor took to social media to raise awareness of excessive vaping. Sharing a video with his now 35+k TikTok followers, Dr Onkar Mudhar previously warned viewers against using the viral, disposable vapes they've seen all over their timelines. "Don't do it," the expert wrote in the caption, following up in the clip by saying "If you use Geek or Elf bars, it's bad news."
Dr Mudhar claimed: "Smoking a whole Geek or Elf bar is the equivalent of about 48 to 50 cigarettes. Both of these [bars] contain two milligrams of nicotine salt, so [the] equivalent 20 milligrams of nicotine."
As we all know, nicotine is highly addictive, but that's not the only thing about disposable vapes that's cause for concern. "Not only is nicotine in these devices super addictive, it also puts you at risk of developing gum disease, dry mouth, tooth decay and early tooth loss," he pointed out. "Furthermore, they can also cause bad breath. So try and avoid these at all costs."
His informative video has seen plenty of TikTokers taking to the comments section to thank the doctor for highlighting the dangers of these seemingly harmless bars. "How are people defending vapes?" questioned one person, with another adding "Vapes aren't classy or cool".
Others echoed the expert's concerns about how addictive and risky smoking disposable vapes can be, "I used two of them in two weeks, I haven't bought any since but I think I am addicted" commented one follower, while someone else said: "I used to vape... and now I know why I have tooth decay."
More recently, in February, reports showed that Elf bars have been removed from some UK supermarket shelves after an investigation claimed they contained illegal nicotine levels.
And in May, BBC News unearthed vapes confiscated from school pupils (the types of these unnamed) contained high levels of lead, nickel and chromium, with investigations revealing that children using them could be inhaling more than twice the daily safe amount of lead (which can affect the central nervous system and brain development), and nine times the safe amount of nickel (which can cause health problems including rhinitis, sinusitis, anosmia and more). The Inter Scientific laboratory in Liverpool analysed 18 vapes to find most hadn't gone through testing before being sold in the UK. Doesn't sound great.
Prof Sir Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, has said previously: “If you smoke, vaping is much safer; if you don’t smoke, don’t vape, and marketing to children is utterly unacceptable.”
Just a reminder, selling vapes to under 18s is illegal!
For more information on how to quit smoking/vaping, or to reach out for support, download the free NHS Quit Smoking app or contact the British Lung Foundation's helpline, here.
Celebrities who've opened up about menopause
Experts on decision to make laughing gas illegal
Kourtney shares emotional details of fetal surgery
7 major health benefits of giving up alcohol
7 styles from Specsavers we want right now
Kourt shows off bump as she calls out criticism
25 anxiety relief products to help you feel calmer
Is spotting before your period normal?
What are the side effects of CBD?
How to support a friend who's had a miscarriage
What does sober curious mean?
Cosmopolitan, Part of the Hearst UK Fashion & Beauty Network
Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Disposable Vape ©2023 Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. Registered in England 112955. All Rights Reserved.