WVS NEWS: Vape products being adapted in face of looming disposables bans across Europe

Written by Freddie Dawson || ECigIntelligence

E-cigarette design is starting to change in anticipation of incoming bans on disposable devices in various jurisdictions.

ECigIntelligence believes a disposables ban in the UK is exceedingly likely to be passed. Given the UK has traditionally been a strong supporter of lighter regulation on vaping, this could certainly spark motions for a similar measure to be included in the upcoming proposals to revise the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD).

Such a move is still complicated, as it involves getting widespread agreement from a parliament that has shifted somewhat to the right after recent European elections but maintains a variety of positions on topics related to harm reduction.

Outside industry lobbying groups, though, there is little public opposition to a disposables ban. And politicians generally like a widely inoffensive if not downright popular move. This suggests increased likelihood of political will for a disposables ban. What may stop it is technical difficulties.

Are disposables bans really'misguided’?

It looks unlikely that arguments put forward by industry lobbyists such as the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) will hold much water. The WVA said a proposal to ban disposables in the UK was “misguided” and would push current vapers back to smoking or into buying illicit products.

WVA director Michael Landl said: “By making it harder for smokers to switch to safer alternatives, this policy is a gift to the illegal market.”

But this is partly the same old argument trotted out by the tobacco industry any time further restrictions or duty increases are proposed. And it’s not a great look for vaping to be aping. Yes, it may increase illicit sales by a small margin, but it will also eliminate the vast majority of legal disposables sales.

Manufacturers already moving away from disposables

Regardless, it appears the market is moving on from disposables anyway. Data suggests growth in the uptake of disposable vaping devices in the UK is slowing and usage rates are stabilising. Similarly, multiple disposables manufacturers are modifying products to get around theoretic future prohibition regulations.

Several companies involved in disposables appear to be starting to add reusable features such as USB charging ports and/or ports to refill tanks. However, in some cases these are window dressings on the same cheaply manufactured disposables lines.

For example, VPZ, a retail chain based in Edinburgh, Scotland, recently warned that one new product coming into the UK market had superficial recharging and refilling mechanisms (a 2 ml pre-filled container, with an extra 10 ml cartridge that can be used immediately after purchase, and a USB charging port) that did not allow for the coil to be replaced, effectively rendering it as a single-use device.

Altogether, it seems that by the time disposables bans come in, the market will have already adjusted and a new product will be the bugbear of the moment.

• ECigIntelligence will be discussing these topics and more at the upcoming InterTabac conference held from 19th to 21st September in Dortmund, Germany, where our managing director, Tim Philips, will be in attendance. You can also hear our head of legal analysis, Pablo Cano Trilla, speak at the first conference session, and visit our booth.

Photo: John Hain