Guidance on vape safety

Are vapes safe?

It’s estimated that 2.9 million UK adults are now using vapes (also known as e-cigarettes) either as an alternative to traditional cigarettes or to help them stop smoking entirely [1].

Some concerns have been raised about the harm that the nicotine and other chemicals contained in vapes could potentially cause – though Public Health England have confirmed they believe that e-cigarettes are around 95% safer than smoking.

But, health implications aside, vapes can pose other dangers: there have been a number of incidents involving faulty vape chargers, including numerous alarming reports of chargers that have exploding whilst in use, causing fires and even injury.

How to use your vape safely:

  • Follow the provided instructions carefully and pay close attention to any warnings supplied with the product – battery capacities and charging voltages vary according to manufacturer so it’s important to check you are using the correct charger. 
  • Do not modify your vape and use only approved replacement parts.
  • Ensure that vapes are not left charging for long periods of time.
  • Never leave vapes plugged in overnight or while you are out of the house.
  • Look out for the CE mark that indicates the manufacturers’ claim that the vape complies with European Safety standards.
  • Never keep loose vape batteries in your pocket, particularly next to keys or coins - they are more likely to cause fire.
  • Protect your vape from extreme temperatures.

Disposing of your vape safely

  • Do not dispose of vapes in the general waste. They should be recycled, if not they can have serious consequences.
  • When electricals containing hidden batteries such as vapes are thrown in the general waste, they can get crushed or damaged and spark dangerous fires in recycling centres or transportation.
  • Check out our guidance on recycling electricals here.
  • Find out more about recycling vapes on the Recycle Your Electricals website.

A few facts about vapes

  • Vapes date back to at least 1963, when Herbert A. Gilbert patented a non-tobacco cigarette that heated a nicotine solution and produced steam – but he wasn’t able to interest any investors in the idea at the time. [2]
  • Vapes were first introduced to Europe in 2006.
  • In a survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics, over half of vape users said their main reason for using them was to stop smoking, and around one in five said it was because they thought they were less harmful than cigarettes. [3]
  • Most of those using vapes use a rechargeable product with either replaceable, pre-filled cartridges or a reservoir/tank.
  • More current smokers use a rechargeable kit with replaceable cartridges than ex-smokers (49% compared to 42%).
  • Ex-smokers favour a rechargeable product with a reservoir or tank (53% compared to only 35% of current smokers). [3]

E -cigarettes (1)(Image source)

Sources

[1] Source: http://ash.org.uk/media-and-news/press-releases-media-and-news/large-national-survey-finds-2-9-million-people-now-vape-in-britain-for-the-first-time-over-half-no-longer-smoke/

[2] Sources: http://www.ecigarettedirect.co.uk/ashtray-blog/2013/10/interview-inventor-e-cigarette-herbert-a-gilbert.html and http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/21/boom-ecigarette-sales-divides-campaigners

[3] Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30192181