From June next year, disposable vapes will no longer be available in England, Scotland, and Wales, with Northern Ireland’s ban set to commence in April. These single-use e-cigarettes have surged in popularity across the UK, with SmokefreeGB figures indicating that approximately 5.6 million adults in Britain are vape users.
For a significant number, vaping serves as an aid to stop smoking traditional cigarettes. While they are considerably less harmful than tobacco products, experts warn that they are not without risks.
Many individuals are likely to attempt reducing their vaping habits ahead of the impending ban. One former user, Jess Baker Smith, has shared the remarkable benefits she’s experienced since quitting vaping a month ago.
Not only did Jess realise the financial toll of her vaping, but she also observed other astonishing improvements in just four weeks. A notable change for Jess was the condition of her skin, which she says has greatly improved since she stopped using nicotine.
Jess elaborated on the lesser-known effects of nicotine, particularly on hormones. “What many people don’t know is that nicotine actually impacts your hormones. I’ve got PCOS and it was really affecting my hormonal acne, so cutting out nicotine altogether means that my skin is just so much healthier than it’s ever been and I’m so happy,” Jess claimed.
Jess has shared the significant improvement in her mental health, highlighting how she suffered from “crippling anxiety” while she was a vaper. She discovered through her research a link between ADHD and vaping which “makes you more anxious” Moreover, Jess experienced enhanced sleep quality, saying “My sleep is better than it’s ever been”.
Previously, she claimed her “foul mood” often stemmed from poor sleep. Now that she’s sleeping soundly without interruptions to vape, Jess feels restored to her “bubbly” self.
Despite the NHS stating that vaping is “Substantially less harmful than smoking,” it is not completely risk-free and lacks evidence on long-term impacts. Usual side effects are coughing, dry mouth, irritation, shortness of breath, and headaches.