Disposable vs. refillable e-cigarettes: What users’ choices reveal about health risks
Baku, February 12, AZERTAC
Not all e-cigarette users are the same, and new research shows why that matters.
A study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that adults who vape disposable devices have very different habits and motivations from those who use refillable ones—and these patterns change depending on the country, according to TPS-IL. Culture, perception, and product availability all shape behavior, meaning that policies must be tailored to local realities to protect public health effectively, the researchers said.
Globally, at least 86 million adults use e-cigarettes, according to the World Health Organization.
The Hebrew University survey of over 400 Israeli and American adults ages 18–45 revealed some surprising trends. In Israel, people who thought e-cigarettes were more harmful were still more likely to use disposable devices, often bought at convenience stores and kiosks. In the U.S., the choice was tied to sweet flavors and prior use of other tobacco products.
Disposables are ready-to-use, single-purpose, and convenient, while non-disposables are reusable, customizable, and often used by more experienced vapers. Disposables tend to appeal to convenience and flavors, whereas non-disposables can be used for cannabis or more experimental vaping, highlighting different motivations and potential risks between the two groups.
The study also found that users of refillable, non-disposable devices are far more likely to vape cannabis or cannabinoid liquids, pointing to a potential regulatory blind spot.
“Policies that treat all e-cigarettes the same risk missing important differences,” said Prof. Yael Bar-Zeev, who supervised the research.
Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can affect brain development in adolescents and young adults. Vaping also exposes the lungs to chemicals such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavoring agents, some of which may cause serious respiratory problems. Additionally, chemicals in e-cigarette vapor—like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and heavy metals—can damage the cardiovascular system, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and potentially long-term risk of heart disease or stroke. Short-term effects can include coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties.
Refillable devices are often used to vape cannabis or cannabinoid liquids, which carry their own respiratory and psychoactive risks, especially if the liquids are unregulated or contaminated. E-cigarettes can also cause accidental injuries, such as burns from overheating batteries or poisoning from liquid nicotine. Finally, the long-term health effects of vaping are still largely unknown, leaving potential risks for chronic lung disease, cardiovascular problems, or cancer over decades of use.
The findings come as governments debate banning disposable e-cigarettes to reduce youth vaping, nicotine addiction, and environmental waste. While restrictions on disposables may curb access to highly appealing products, the researchers caution that non-disposable devices could still pose significant risks if left unregulated.
“Effective regulation needs to reflect how people actually use these products, not just assumptions,” Bar-Zeev stressed.
The study was published in the peer-reviewed Israel Journal of Health Policy Research.
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