Are Disposable Vapes Safe? Everything You Need To Know

Across the world, there’s much confusion surrounding the safety of disposable vapes. Many smoking adults still believe that smoking cigarettes is as safe, if not safer, than vaping. 

However, disposable vapes are safe if you follow the proper precautions.

In this article, we'll discover why e-cigarettes are safer than cigarettes and what precautions you should take. 

Are Disposable Vapes Safe To Use?

Disposable vapes are a type of e-cigarette; they work much like regular e-cigarettes but are smaller, thinner, and have a distinctive look. Disposable vapes have a tank chamber containing e-liquid or e-juice, another term for the substance converted into vapour by combustion. Two components trigger the vapourisation of the e-liquid: the atomiser and the use of heat. 

This process is no more dangerous than regular e-cigarettes. The accessible nature of disposable vapes doesn’t make them more difficult. However, the caveat is that a legitimate company must produce your disposable vape with proper manufacturing processes. 

Unfortunately, the number of counterfeit vapes is rising, so knowing how to spot a counterfeit from a legal vape is crucial. Fake e-cigarettes may contain ten times more nicotine than is permitted. A legal vape in the UK will have the following: 

• Maximum tank size: 2ml
• Total number of puffs: 600 (approx)
• Highest nicotine strength: 20mg/ml (or 2%)
• Largest refill bottle volume: 10ml

While counterfeit disposable vapes are often cheaper, they are unsafe, and you should avoid them at all costs. Aside from the increased nicotine, it's highly likely that fake e-cigarettes include dangerous chemicals, which proper manufacturing channels wouldn’t approve.

For example, substandard materials could lead to toxic substances entering the e-liquid. Likewise, the lack of quality control increases the chances of disposable vapes having a high failure rate. And the lack of safety precautions means a broken or overheating tank could damage your mouth. 

Overall, disposable vapes are safe if correctly made. They’re safe to use, but vaping is never risk-free. However, any risk with vaping is a fraction of that when smoking cigarettes.

Are There Harmful Chemicals in Disposable Vapes?

Understandably, one of the biggest concerns about the safety of disposable vapes is whether or not harmful chemicals are present. Disposable vapes typically use e-liquid, as described above, which is a mixture of several substances: vegetable glycerine, flavourings, nicotine, and propylene glycol. When using the term ‘safe,’ it’s paramount that you remember nicotine remains an addictive chemical.

Generally speaking, the chemical combination is safe. However, it’s important to note the risk of using disposable or regular vapes. The long-term effects of inhaling these chemicals are currently unknown as e-cigarettes are still relatively new. However, compared to the chemicals and substances you inhale from the smoke of a cigarette, the chemicals in disposable vapes are far less damaging.

It’s important to remember that chemicals will always affect people differently. For example, the chemical found in vapes, propylene glycol, can aggravate the respiratory system and cause allergic reactions. If you ever think you might have an allergic reaction or your breathing worsens when using a vape, immediately stop using and see your doctor. 

Likewise, there are growing concerns in Canada over the involvement of Pulegone in vapes. So bare in mind that the levels of harm a disposable vape can do may differ from country to country. Going with a reputable company like WAKA makes all the difference.

Disposable Vapes vs Cigarettes — What is More Harmful?

Two-thirds of smoking adults in the UK believe that vaping is as harmful, if not more harmful, than smoking. The misconceptions surrounding vaping make understanding the differences between disposable vapes and cigarettes increasingly confusing. However, vaping is far less harmful than smoking. 

While both disposable vapes and cigarettes contain nicotine, smoking and its adverse effects derive from the dangerous and toxic chemicals in cigarettes, like tar, carbon monoxide, lead, and arsenic, not nicotine. Whereas vapes expel water-based vapour from chemicals that don’t present short-term health concerns, the long-term health risks are currently unknown. 

To put the comparison as a number, vapes are 95% less harmful than the usual tobacco cigarettes. It’s easy to see why e-cigarettes are an excellent alternative to those currently smoking but seeking to quit. As the rise in vape usage has risen among adult smokers, there’s been a decline in regular cigarette use. 

While vapes are low-risk, traditional tobacco smoking could lead to: 

• Lung cancer (7 out of 10 cases are due to smoking)
• Cancer of other areas including, but not limited to, mouth, throat, pancreas, bowel, kidney, liver

Smoking may also increase your risk of: 

• Heart attacks
• Strokes 
• Coronary heart disease
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Cerebrovascular disease 

The smoke damage to your lungs could also lead to: 

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including emphysema and bronchitis 
• Pneumonia

In comparison, disposable vapes are far less harmful than cigarettes. However, they aren’t risk-free, and those who don't already smoke should use them with care.

How To Make Sure You’re Safe When Using Disposable Vapes

Check For Authenticity 

Cheaper isn’t always better. Make sure you buy from a reputable source when purchasing disposable vapes. This means making sure the company is legitimate and follows good manufacturing processes. 

Don’t Alter Anything 

Manufacturers make disposable vapes with specific chemicals and quantities in mind, so don’t alter the e-liquid. If you do, you could make the vape unsafe, and the company you buy from won’t be liable for the damage caused.

Check The Ingredients and Quantities 

Even when buying from a reputable company, the safest bet is to check that the ingredients and quantities are within the legal remit for the UK or Canada:

• Highest nicotine strength: 20mg/ml (or 2%) for both locations

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, disposable vapes are safe, but they aren’t risk-free and only advisable to those already smoking. Unlike traditional tobacco cigarettes, vaping is far safer and is responsible for many adults quitting smoking for good! If you're looking for a reputable company to get started, WAKA Vape has you covered.