Disposable electronic cigarettes, or “puffs,” pose a dual threat: they endanger health and create environmental havoc by generating tons of waste.
These “cigarettes” are particularly popular with young people. Attractive colours, a variety of sweet flavours – mint, red fruit, candyfloss – they are designed to appeal especially to young people, increasing the risk of early nicotine dependence, as nicotine is a highly addictive substance.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a real marketing strategy on the part of manufacturers, often traditional cigarette companies, aimed at a young audience.
A health crisis among young people
Their use increases the risk of developing inflammation of the respiratory tract. Loaded with nicotine, these disposable electronic cigarettes quickly create a dependency that is often more insidious than that of conventional cigarettes. They can be a gateway to smoking. The earlier you start smoking, the more difficult it is to quit.
Recent data shows alarmingly high consumption among young people. Between January 2021 and April 2022, more than one in two young people in the UK started smoking puffs, according to a study by Oxford University. “In the space of 15 months, their popularity among 18-year-olds rose from 0.4% to 54.8%,” the study states.
By 2022, an estimated 12.5% of teenagers in the 53-country WHO European Region were smoking e-cigarettes. Consumption is slightly lower in European Union countries, at 6.5%, which is still a cause for concern.
Epidemiological studies show that e-cigarette use triples the likelihood of using nicotine products compared to traditional cigarette users, particularly among young non-smokers, reports the WHO.
While their long-term effects on health are not fully known, we do know that these products generate toxic substances, some of which cause cancer and others of which increase the risk of heart or lung disorders, says the WHO.
Disposable e-cigarettes have also been associated with a number of personal injuries, including burns due to explosions or malfunctions, when products fail to meet expected standards or are tampered with by users.
An environmental disaster
Disposable electronic cigarettes are also an environmental disaster. They bring together many of the worst characteristics of single-use products: non-recyclable plastic, heavy metals, nicotine salts, and small but highly polluting lithium batteries.
Some 1.3 million devices are thrown away in the UK every week, according to the Oxford study. Yet these batteries are difficult to recycle and often end up in the environment, polluting soil and water. Their composition is dangerous for the environment, particularly for biodiversity.
Lithium batteries used in electronic cigarettes pollute rivers with nickel, cobalt and other toxic substances. Yet these lithium batteries are often still functional and could be recycled or reused. Batteries are also flammable and can cause fires.
Legislation Still Falls Short
Belgium and France have banned the sale of these “puffs” since the beginning of 2025. The UK, following suit, is expected to do so by the end of June.
Belgium was a pioneer. The measure, which came into force on January 1, 2025, is actually part of a major national anti-smoking plan, entitled “Génération sans tabac”, which aims to reduce smoking among 15-25 year-olds as much as possible.
In France, the law banning puffs was enacted on February 24, 2025. It prohibits the sale, distribution, free offer and possession for the purpose of selling disposable electronic cigarettes.
Violation of the ban is punishable by a fine of up to 100,000 euros, and 200,000 euros in the event of a repeat offence. Supported by health and environmental associations, this measure aims to protect young people and limit the ecological consequences.
Despite some national bans, comprehensive regulation across Europe remains uneven, leaving significant loopholes in protecting youth and the environment.
In 2022, data from the WHO European Region revealed significant gaps in the protection of children from electronic cigarettes. Only 4 countries ban all flavors in these cigarettes, while 4 others allow or restrict certain flavors. Only 11 countries prohibit all forms of advertising, promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes, compared with 36 that partially prohibit them and 6 that do not regulate them.