The rise of the drunk cigarette: Has the disposable vape ban backfired with Edi students?

As of April 2026, the legislation, banning people born after January 1st 2009 from ever buying nicotine products, was finalised.

This comes after disposable vapes were banned in June 2025 in an attempt to curb their environmental impact, and to reduce use amongst younger generations. 

In student spaces, vaping seems to have become less popular. Yet the rise of cigarettes and snus/Zyns is becoming hard to ignore. But have the restrictive policies made any real difference to student life?

Students spoke to The Edinburgh Tab to share their opinions.

Cigarettes – a thing of the past or a chic accessory? 

Is smoking on the rise with students?

Students have largely viewed cigarettes as a thing of the past, following the ban of indoor smoking in Scotland in 2006.

Relegated to a cold, rainy smoking area, many users took this as an opportunity to give up the habit, with Cancer Research UK finding that 400,000 people quit as a result of the ban. 

The tobacco market pivoted to the brightly-coloured, fruity-tasting e-cigarette realm. Perfect for the younger market previously untouched by the popularity of cigarettes. 

This model clearly appealed to students, with Freya*, a fourth year at The University of Edinburgh, explaining it was enough to get her to pick up a vape for the first time: “I never touched cigarettes before trying vaping, it was the thing to do in high school, but it seems like more students are smoking [cigarettes] now that they’re older.” 

And the vaping craze does seem to be dying out, with youth vaping rates levelling off after a rise between 2021 and 2023.

With Edinburgh clubs and pubs having rather “aesthetic” smoking areas, students seem more inclined to pinch a cigarette instead. 

The portrayal of smoking as an aloof, sexy habit in media definitely contributes to their resurgence in student popularity. However the aesthetic may be giving more Frank Gallagher than Carrie Bradshaw.

The sense of community within smoking areas has also led to the rise in cigarettes. With a Public Health study finding that 62 per cent among 455 smokers self-identified or behaved as social smokers.

Their ability to facilitate new conversations (although most of them are not remembered the next morning) entices students to pay for the conversation with a cheeky drunk cigarette. 

Snus – the new nicotine craze? 

Snus has increased in popularity among young people in the last couple years, becoming increasingly common in pub and club spaces. With a BBC study finding that “Less than one per cent of young men and women were using nicotine pouches in 2022, [which then increased] to four per cent in March 2025.”

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However small that percentage seems, a report by NASUWT, a teacher’s union, found that 46 per cent of their teacher members in Scotland said pupils are using nicotine pouches during school.

Likely due to the ability to use them discreetly, snus has also taken a place with stressed-out students. Whether in part-time jobs, or putting in a shift at the library, they have become a key feature. 

Evie*, a recent graduate of the University of Edinburgh who does six-dot snus daily, explained she does it as it “feels healthier than vaping, like I know what’s inside it. I also do it less than I would vape.”

Social media has largely portrayed this as a harmless habit. With the emergence of the “two-dot swap”, and online bragging of the strength you can “handle.”

However, some research outlined how gum lesions are becoming more prevalent with young people, detailing how a 23-year-old student developed them after using five pouches a day during exam season. 

Most importantly, they increase the risk of ending your night out with your head in the club toilet. A place no self-respecting student loves to revisit.

Vapes – has the trend finally died? 

Are students turning back towards cigarettes after the vape ban?

One thing the 2025 disposable vape ban achieved is the decrease of casual users. An Action on Smoking and Health study found “In 2026, eight per cent of adults who vape say they mainly use disposables”, compared with a peak of 31 per cent in 2023.

Those who used to buy a disposable vape for a night out seem to have resorted to a drunk cigarette instead. 

It seems that the only students left still vaping are those who were doing so regularly prior to the ban. And those willing to commit to the chargeable alternative after. But does this mark the end of vapes amongst young people? 

Joe*, a third year student at the University of Edinburgh, explained the reasons why he’s not in a rush to quit: “Disposable vape brands have started selling reusables for the same price, so quitting didn’t even cross my mind.”

However, students, ever-consumed with remaining aesthetic and keeping spending low, have looked to alternatives following the ban, including “rollies” and the aforementioned snus.

Though, due to the age ban, in the next five years we can likely see an end to students consuming nicotine at all. Though the student is unlikely to give up the drunk cigarette, it seems to be an inevitability, but what will be the next new craze?

If you’re struggling with nicotine addiction or want to quit smoking or vaping, students in Scotland can contact Quit Your Way Scotland on 0800 84 84 84 or get support via NHS inform. In England, you can call the NHS Smokefree National Helpline on 0300 123 1044 or find your local Stop Smoking Service via the NHS website.

*Pseudonyms have been used for anonymity.