Although the first disposable vape pens were released in 2004, it was not until early 2022 that they became ubiquitous. A wave of single use, brightly coloured, disposable vapes were suddenly available for half the price of a pack of cigarettes. Subsequently, they were distributed far and wide in corner shops and supermarkets alike.
But what does this nascent form of nicotine absorption cost us? Although the price is generally cheap, the cost to the planet is far greater. With lithium batteries, a plastic exterior and unknown chemicals the effect they have could be catastrophic.
Reporter Stephen Menon spoke to Joey Cooke, a disposable vape lover, and Laura Young, an environmental campaigner who’s leading the charge for disposable vapes to be banned in Scotland.
Featured image by Stephen Menon