The ban on disposable e-cigarettes in the UK came into effect on 1 June. But the consequences were felt even before that: Thousands of British vapers stocked up while shops emptied their shelves of the popular products.
"Now they're banning an aid that actually made me quit smoking - it's counterproductive and stupid," says Claire Fox, one of the UK's millions of vapers.

At the turn of the month, the sale of disposable e-cigarettes was officially banned in the UK. In the weeks leading up to the ban, vapers across the country have been stocking up on their favourite flavours before they illegally disappear from shelves.

At the same time, politicians, environmental organisations and researchers are warning not only about the waste problems of products, but also about the way users dispose of them.

"They saved me from tobacco smoke - now they are banned"

Claire Fox, Baroness and former heavy smoker of 40 years, tells radio station LBC that she has been smoke-free for 18 months - all thanks to disposable e-cigarettes.
"They worked great. Now an effective aid is being banned - it's both stupid and harmful," she says.
And she is far from alone in her criticism. Many British vapers who have used disposable models as a replacement for cigarettes are expressing frustration with the ban. Several say they have already built up large private stocks to cope when sales stop.

"10 vapes for £20"

25-year-old Cara Hallinan, a former daily smoker, tells the BBC that she has 40 disposable models at home - and plans to buy more.
"I bought whole boxes from my local shop. They're trying to get rid of them, so I got 10 disposable vapes for £20," she says.
She recognises that there are alternatives, but finds disposable models to be practical and indispensable in a busy life.
"With everything else in my life - what if I forget to charge my rechargeable? Or wake up one morning without a vape - or it dies at work?" she asks.

Environmentalists: "It's not waste - it's resources"

At the same time, environmental organisations warn that disposable models create massive waste problems.
Scott Butler, Director of Material Focus - a UK electronics recycling organisation - told LBC that the products are an environmental ticking time bomb.
"We throw away eight million disposable vapes every week. They contain lithium and copper - materials we need for future green technology. It's not waste - it's resources."

He points out that although the products are marketed as 'disposable', there is no effective infrastructure to deal with them. Instead, they often end up in household waste - which can lead to fires and environmental damage.
After 1 June, private individuals risk fines of up to £600 (approx. 8,000 DKK) for incorrect disposal. Retailers could face even higher fines - up to £6,000.

Study: Use of disposable models is already declining

But perhaps the ban won't be so dramatic in the long run. A new study from University College London - reported by Swedish media outlet Vejpkollen - shows that the use of disposable models is already declining, especially among young adults.
The proportion of steamers using disposable models has dropped from 44 % to 29 % in just one year.

Prohibition of sale - not use

The UK ban only applies to sales - not possession. This means that it is still legal to use disposable models after 1 June, but not to buy them legally within the country.

Recently authorised in Denmark

In Denmark, the situation is the opposite: here it was recently authorised to sell disposable models after they were previously rejected due to lack of childproofing. However, most models on the market require you to actively remove a safety lock to activate them.