Backed by Science, Inspired by Art – Why Awareness Starts with Action
The rise of disposable vapes has created a new, under-recognized environmental crisis. While marketed as modern and safer alternatives to smoking, these single-use devices leave behind a harmful legacy: e-waste, microplastics, toxic chemicals, and addiction—especially among young people.
🌍 The Environmental Cost of Disposable Vapes
E-cigarettes contain non-recyclable plastics, heavy metals, and lithium-ion batteries. When discarded improperly, these materials leach toxic substances into the soil and waterways, posing a direct threat to ecosystems and public health.
According to the WHO, the lifecycle of e-cigarettes is problematic from start to finish: from resource extraction and manufacturing, to daily use, and finally, to disposal. And unlike cigarette butts—long known to be toxic litter—vape pens contain hazardous electronics, making them even harder to recycle and manage.
In Spain, environmental watchdog OceanCare highlights the rapid emergence of vape pollution as a serious waste management challenge. Vapes are now commonly found on beaches, parks, and urban spaces—classified as plastic waste, hazardous waste, and electronic waste all in one.
Public Health Risks: Not Just a “Harmless Habit”
Numerous studies link vaping to:
Cardiovascular disease risk through arterial stiffening and inflammation.
Lung damage, impaired respiratory function, and increased susceptibility to chronic illnesses.
Neurological effects from nicotine exposure in adolescence, including impaired learning, addiction, and behavioral changes.
While most available studies are U.S.-based (NIH, CDC, Johns Hopkins), similar trends are observed in Europe. A 2023 study by Universidad de Barcelona confirmed high nicotine concentration in disposable devices and called for urgent policy action in Spain and the EU to curb access to minors.
Who Is Most Affected?
Youth and young adults are the primary consumers of e-cigarettes. In Spain, the “Estudes” survey (Ministerio de Sanidad, 2023) showed that 18% of students aged 14-18 had used e-cigarettes, with a growing preference for sweet, flavored, disposable vapes. These products are often marketed as trendy or “eco-friendly”, creating a dangerous illusion.
What’s more alarming is the lack of awareness among users about proper disposal. Most young people are unaware that their vape contains lithium, nicotine residue, and unrecyclable plastic.
Turning Data Into Dialogue: “Why? No es Guay”
At Creatives For The Planet, we believe in transforming information into action and statistics into stories. That’s why we launched the “Why? No es Guay” campaign.
In collaboration with CECPA, we:
Visited 7 schools across Ibiza with a mobile educational program.
Sparked debate around vaping’s health and environmental risks.
Collected 237 used vapes and built a powerful sculpture out of them.
🔹 The Artwork
The installation presents a haunting question: “Why are we creating products that poison our planet and health?”
By transforming discarded vapes into a visually striking message, we turned e-waste into awareness. The piece traveled with the campaign to help young audiences visualize the lasting impact of disposable culture.
Solutions and Action Steps
Backed by scientific research and strengthened by artistic activism, we join global calls for:
Stricter regulation of disposable vape sales, especially to youth.
Producer responsibility and circular product design.
Youth-targeted education campaigns about health and environmental risks.
Public investment in recycling programs that can handle e-cigarette waste.
And above all: more grassroots initiatives that connect facts with feelings, policy with creativity, and science with art.
Awareness Starts With Us
Let’s be clear: vaping is not just a health issue, it’s a climate and justice issue. Each vape thrown into the street is a silent pollutant. Each marketing campaign that targets teens is a breach of trust.
By merging data with art, campaigns like Why? No es Guay can break through apathy and offer new ways to educate, engage, and empower.
Join us. Share the story. Ask the hard questions.
Because the difference lies in action.
#VapePollution #WhyNoEsGuay #CreativesForThePlanet #EnvironmentalAwareness #YouthEducation #EwasteCrisis #CircularSolutions #PlasticFreeFuture
