Geek Bars disposables are among the market's best sellers; the brand was ranked the third top-selling e-cigarette brand by dollar sales in the U.S. during mid-2024. From the Pulse disposables to the Pulse X, DigiFlavor, and Skyview, Geek Bar devices are popular and bestsellers.

But it’s not the popularity we’re focusing on at the moment; for some time now, there have been lots of hearsays about vapes – mainly disposables – containing lead, diacetyl, and a couple of other dangerous chemical compounds, which brings us to the question, “Do Geek Bars have diacetyl?”

Actually, the whole diacetyl and chemical compound infusion in vapes isn’t just about Geek Bars, but a general concern for everyone who vapes. Many point the question to Geek Bars because they are prevalent.

First, it is important to note that diacetyl is a buttery flavor additive that has been previously linked to “obliterative bronchiolitis,” commonly referred to as “popcorn lung” (a serious, incurable lung disease). Hence, if actually vapes, Geek Bars, as we’re focusing on in this article, contain diacetyl, then it’s a thing of concern. Now, come with me.

What Is Diacetyl and Why Does It Matter?

Diacetyl is a chemical additive that gives foods a buttery or creamy flavor. It occurs naturally in popcorn, candy, dairy, baked goods, and some fermented foods. When consumed with the food it is contained in, there’s actually no problem, because the compound appears in very low amounts. However, in contrast, when inhaled, diacetyl can be a deadly substance.

Since the problem of diacetyl is in inhalation, then it shouldn’t be in vapes—that’s the argument.

Well, taking us back to the early 2000s, when diacetyl was discovered as a deadly substance to be inhaled. In 2001, some workers at a microwave popcorn plant developed a serious lung disease, medically diagnosed as bronchiolitis obliterans, but commonly called “popcorn lungs” because it broke out first at a popcorn company.

Back to our discourse, the workers in the popcorn company were subjected to breathing high concentrations of diacetyl, which ended up causing irreversible damage to their lungs: scarring and narrowing the tiny airways, causing chronic cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. A medical situation that was later diagnosed as bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lung).

Popcorn lung is not treatable; it can only be managed for a while, or the patient gets a lung transplant. So, it’s a serious concern for everyone who digests any substance, liquid, or food that contains diacetyl. Vape e-liquids have been tested to include this compound, and quite a number of vapers have been diagnosed with fatal (deadly) lung diseases, including EVALI, as a result of vaping.

Is Diacetyl in Vapes?

A 2015 Harvard study detected diacetyl in over 75% of flavored e-cigarette cartridges tested, including disposables that use flavored e-liquids. Since diacetyl is harmless in food but harmful when inhaled, its presence in vapes became a red flag for public health.

When the diacetyl issue came to light, several countries banned the compound and its close relative acetyl propionyl for use in e-liquids. Many vape manufacturers had to reformulate their flavor formulas, so most new vapes of today, do rarely contain diacetyl. A subsequent 2021 Canadian study proved this: researchers tested 825 e-cigarette products and found diacetyl in only 2 of them (about 0.24%), and none of the products released after 2018.

However, due to the 2015 Harvard study, the American Lung Association pushed further on vapes clampdown, and in 2020, the FDA started initiating bans on most flavored vapes—an approach that has overriped in 2025, and now, there’s a full-blown ban on vapes that are not on the FDA’s whitelist.

Meanwhile, it is important to note that, to date, no vaper has been shown to get popcorn lung as a result of vaping alone. Public health agencies (in Canada, the UK, and elsewhere) have stated there is no evidence linking standard nicotine vaping to bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lungs). For context, a pack-a-day smoker inhales hundreds of times more diacetyl each day than a typical e-cigarette user.

In practice, this means that while the diacetyl scare was valid for factory workers, it has not translated into actual vaping illnesses. Vaping experts often say that the “popcorn lung” threat is a historical caution rather than a current reality for e-cig users.

Do Geek Bars Have Diacetyl?

The ingredients in Geek Bar e-liquids are the same with what’s used in almost all disposables: a mix of vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG) as the base, plus nicotine salts and flavor compounds. Geek Bar offers fruit blends (mango-berry, blueberry-raspberry, etc.), menthol and mint blends, candy-style mixtures, and some dessert-like profiles (banana pudding, cinnamon roll, etc.).

No, Geek Bars do not basically have diacetyl. According to Geek Bar’s own materials and retailer spec sheets, the flavorings are “food-grade” and lab-tested, emphasizing quality control. Geek Bar’s published ingredients make no mention of diacetyl or acetyl propionyl. Even so, Geek Bar has openly admitted that its disposables, particularly its bestseller, the Geek Bar Pulse, do not contain diacetyl.

Also, there is no published independent lab test detecting diacetyl in Geek Bar liquids, even during the 2021 survey that found diacetyl in only 0.24% of products tested.

Can a Vaper Develop Popcorn Lungs?

This has been like an age-long argument, but the answer is NO, as there has been no evidence to support such, whatsoever. However, if that vaper is exposed to other things that can lead to popcorn lungs, then the vaper would definitely develop the disease.

Popcorn lung is a medical condition caused by constant exposure, particularly inhaling, of diacetyl, so a vaper living or staying in an environment where diacetyl aerosols fly in the atmosphere could catch the disease. But even at that, the giving scenario is still rare.

The truth is, the big tobacco companies have been pushing many narratives and agendas against vaping to thwart the industry’s fast-paced success and adoption. These propagandas have also led to the FDA placing stricter bans on vapes, outrightly banning the likes of Geek Bar, RAZ, Foger, SMOK, DOJO, and many others, across many US States, because they are made outside the US, and the products’ quality cannot be authenticated.

Are there Side Effects of Vaping Geek Bars?

To be honest, vaping has side effects, and it doesn’t matter which vape you vape. So yeah, Geek Bars have side effects, especially if you become addicted to the act—vaping. A chain vaper may experience respiratory irritations and even expose themselves to lung diseases like EVALI. More so, chronic vapers may grow into nicotine dependency, which is another serious health state anyone can be in.

Common side effects of using Geek Bars include:

· Nicotine dependency or poisoning

· Nausea

· Coughs

· Lung scarring

· Dizziness

· Throat irritation

· Etc.

Note: These side effects are not exclusive to Geek Bar vapes alone, but vaping in general.

These things occur due to the chemical additives and flavoring compounds used in making vape e-liquids and salts. But then again, not every vaper experiences these side effects; in fact, a moderate vaper who has no underlying medical condition can vape for like forever and never experience any of these. However, for sensitive individuals and those diagnosed with certain medical conditions, the best way to avoid these side effects is to avoid chain-vaping.

What Are the Best Geek Bars to Buy?

There are actually multiple Geek Bar vape models, and while all of them are quite nice to use, here are the very best to consider.

1. Geek Bar Pulse X

More like the best of the best, this is inarguably the best Geek Bar disposable in the US and global markets, right now. Geek Bar Pulse X promises up to 25,000 puffs, prefilled up to 18mL, and powered by a decent 700mAh battery, rechargeable via USB-C.

This disposable is both aesthetically appealing and powerful; it works in two power modes and has adjustable airflow settings so you can personalize the intensity of your puffs. EightVape has over 20 unique flavors of the Geek Bar Pulse X available in full stock, and there are bundle deals to slash the cost of buying in bulk.

2. Geek Bar Pulse 15000

The Geek Bar Pulse preceded the Geek Bar Pulse X; it was the Geek Bar Pulse’s success that brought about the Pulse X, which positions as an improved version of the former. So, the Geek Bar Pulse disposable comes in a sleek body, powered by a strong battery, and promises up to 15,000 puffs, thanks to the 16mL prefilled e-liquid.

This model has the largest number of flavors, as long as Geek Bar disposables are concerned; there are over 30 flavors for the Geek Bar Pulse, that’s a lot of variety to deal with. Well, it offers fewer puffs than the Pulse X, so it’s cheaper in price. However, this doesn’t in any way affect the performance; in fact, the Geek Bar Pulse is rated the best Geek Bar disposable in terms of performance.

3. Geek Bar Digiflavor BRK 20k

With the Digiflavor BRK disposable, Geek Bar upscaled its design technologies, so this model comes as a 2-chassis vape, featuring a detachable pod unit and detachable battery. The pod contains 12mL of prefilled e-liquid; it must be attached to the battery unit for use, as it does not have a built-in power supply. Digiflavor is a sub-brand of Geek Bar, and the BRK 20k is the brand’s finest at the moment. There are multiple flavor options available.

Conclusion

Do Geek Bars have diacetyl? No, they don’t. However, if you become addicted to vaping, you could grow nicotine dependency and expose your system to dangerous respiratory illnesses and diseases. Geek Bar disposables are among the best in the market. Be sure to buy from reputable stores like EightVape, so you know you’re getting an original Geek Bar vape.