Is Vaping Cheaper Than Smoking In 2024?

Some figures state that smokers could save over £3000 a year should they transition to vaping. Is this true, and is vaping cheaper than smoking?

In recent years, the debate between vaping and smoking has evolved significantly, with a growing number of smokers turning to vaping as a purportedly safer and more economical alternative. For individuals looking to reduce their spending on smoking, the question “Is vaping cheap?” becomes central to their decision-making process.

This article seeks to shed light on the true financial aspects of vaping compared to smoking, aiming to provide readers with a clearer understanding of which habit hits the wallet harder.

Vaping, once a niche hobby, has exploded into a global phenomenon, touted not only for its potential health benefits over smoking but also for its perceived cost-effectiveness. Meanwhile, smoking—despite its well-documented health risks and increasing social stigma—continues to be a deeply ingrained habit for millions worldwide. With the cost of cigarettes steadily climbing due to higher UK taxes and stricter regulations, many are left wondering if switching to vaping could provide a dual benefit: reducing health risks and saving money.

From the upfront investment in a starter kit to the recurring purchase of E-Liquids or tobacco, this analysis aims to offer a comprehensive view of the financial implications of both choices. As we delve into the world of vaping and smoking, we invite you to consider not just the price tags, but also the broader economic, health, and social factors that play into the true cost of these habits. 

How much does it cost to smoke cigarettes?

As with everything in this cost of living crisis, cigarette pack prices have taken a huge jump over the past few years. Smokers 10 years ago only had to pay an average of £7.09 for a cigarette pack of 20, a number that seems shockingly cheap compared to the prices of today.

Following continual tobacco tax hikes, a pack of UK cigarettes now costs an average of £15.67.

Many smokers go through a pack per day. At an eye-watering £15.67 per day, it has to be said that a smoking habit is probably one of the most expensive habits that plagues the UK.

Opting for hand-rolled cigarettes over pre-packaged ones will indeed lead to better savings, yet the expenses will still accumulate steadily over time.

A typical 30g pouch of tobacco, which can now be found cheapest at around £17, yields about 50 cigarettes, translating to a cost of around £6.80 for every 20 cigarettes. While this is more economical compared to factory-made cigarettes, the total cost can still mount. 

Additionally, you must consider the minor yet persistent costs of rolling papers and filters. The daily expense for papers is roughly 30p, with filters costing about the same. 

Is vaping cheaper than smoking?

Dr Sarah Jackson (UCL Epidemiology & Health Care), the lead author of a 2019 study on addiction, said: “A third of smokers list cost as an important factor driving their desire to quit. Our study shows that if people switch completely to alternative products such as e-cigarettes or NRT, a substantial saving could be made. While the absolute cost saving will vary according to individual usage patterns, we estimate that ex-smokers who have switched to e-cigarettes or NRT spend about £13-15 less per week than the average smoker.”

Ok, so e-cigarettes may be cheaper than smoking. But is vaping cheap as a habit?

How much you can truly save depends on other factors: your preferred smoking/ vaping method, how much you traditionally smoke/ vape, plus health and maintenance costs.

In this analysis, our numbers are based on smokers who smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, and e-cigarette users who vape a 2ml pod of E-Liquid per day, which is the nicotine equivalent to a 20 cigarette-pack. 

Disposable Vapes

Among the various types of vaping hardware, disposables rank as the priciest, designed for convenience as they are used directly from the package until depleted, and then discarded.

Choosing disposable vapes eliminates the need for maintenance, along with avoiding additional expenses on accessories or E-Liquids. Each disposable vape is an all-in-one solution, although for the typical smoker, it’s likely to last only a day.

It’s worth noting that many vape retailers will offer year-round deals if you are looking to have a disposable for every day of the week. At Vape Green, we offer a 3 disposable vapes for £12 deal.

Pre Filled Pod Kits

Pre-filled pod systems strike a balance between the convenience of disposable vapes and the versatility of refillable vapes, offering a cost-effective alternative for those considering the switch. These devices feature a rechargeable battery base to which pre-filled pods, or cartridges, are attached. Once a pod is depleted, it’s simply discarded and replaced with a new one, making for an easy and mess-free experience.

Opting for a pre-filled pod system involves an initial modest investment for the device itself, followed by separate purchases of pods. These pods are available in a variety of flavours, though the selection is somewhat more restricted than what you would find with a refillable kit. It’s also worth noting that most pods are made to fit specific vape models, such as the Elf Bar Mate 500 kit being compatible exclusively with Elf Bar Mate 500 pods.

For the purpose of this comparison, we’re considering the latest pre-filled pod kit from Lost Mary, the Tappo. It retails at £8.99, and refill pods are sold in packs of 2 for £5.99, making a single pod around £3. 

Refillable Pod Kits

Refillable vapes are indeed the most economical choice for those looking to save money, especially for individuals transitioning from smoking to vaping. A low-powered starter kit that’s compatible with nic salts is highly recommended, as nic salts provide a satisfying experience for recent ex-smokers with their efficient nicotine delivery.

Pod kits, which vary widely in shape, size, and price, offer a versatile range of options. For the purposes of our comparison, we’ve selected a dependable starter pod system that features disposable refillable pods. This design means you won’t have to concern yourself with the hassle of changing coils. The coil comes pre-installed within the pod, and you only need to replace the pod when you notice a burnt taste or a decrease in flavour quality. This system also allows for the use of any compatible E-Liquid, minimising the maintenance typically associated with more complex vape setups.

For this analysis, we’re highlighting the excellent GeekVape Sonder Q pod kit, priced at an affordable £9.99 upfront. Replacement pods are available in 3-pack sets for £8.99, with each pod lasting approximately one week before requiring replacement. Regarding E-Liquids, we’re factoring in a mix & match offer of 4 for £10, which comes out to £2.50 per 10ml bottle.

Is vaping cheaper than smoking? The cost effectiveness of vaping compared to smoking is frankly undeniable. A cigarette smoker who buys a pack per day spends over £5000 more annually than a refillable pod kit user who vapes 2ml of E-Liquid a day.

Health Costs

It’s not simply personal finances that are affected by smoking and vaping habits. The picture is bigger than that.

Cancer Research UK states that there are over 5000 chemicals that are given off in lighting a cigarette, at least 70 of which are thought to cause cancer. 

Smoking related illnesses put an incredible strain on NHS resources here in the UK. From 2015 to 2019, 386,400 deaths were attributed to smoking, with just under 80,000 people per year dying. It is thought that smoking costs the NHS £2.6 billion per year.

Vaping E-Liquids contain nicotine, which is addictive, but not a directly harmful substance. Although vaping is not thought to cause any serious health problems, there has a worrying rise in vaping amongst people who have not smoked.

Although vaping is an excellent tool for quitting smokers, it has no place in the systems of people who have never had nicotine. Nicotine addiction could lead to the use of other, more harmful products like cigarettes; this is the exact reverse of the intention behind e-cigarettes. 

Vaping must not be encouraged to anyone who isn’t in need of its benefits. 

Environmental Costs

Both habits contribute to environmental degradation, but in distinct ways, highlighting the need for informed choices and responsible disposal practices.

Waste from Smoking

Cigarette butts are the most littered item worldwide, with an estimated 4.5 trillion discarded annually. These butts contain cellulose acetate, a form of plastic that can take up to 10 years to degrade. 

As they break down, they release toxic chemicals, including nicotine, arsenic, and heavy metals, into soil and waterways, posing a threat to aquatic life and ecosystems. Moreover, the production process of cigarettes involves extensive use of pesticides and water, further exacerbating its environmental footprint.

Vaping’s Environmental Cost

Vaping devices and accessories, including cartridges and batteries, introduce a different set of environmental challenges. 

Many vaping products are designed for single use or have limited life spans, leading to significant electronic waste. E-waste is problematic because it contains hazardous materials that can leach into the ground and water supplies if not disposed of properly. 

The recycling of vaping products is complicated by their small size and the mixture of materials (plastics, metals, and electronics), making them less likely to be recycled correctly.

Mitigating the Environmental Costs

To mitigate the environmental impact of both smoking and vaping, users and manufacturers must take proactive steps.

For smokers, switching to biodegradable filters or quitting smoking altogether can significantly reduce environmental harm. Vapers can opt for refillable devices, purchase products with longer lifespans, and properly recycle batteries and electronics to minimise waste.

Save Money Vaping

Switching from smoking to vaping can potentially save you thousands of pounds a year—but for ex-smokers who’ve already made the switch, there are still more ways to save money with vaping. 

Ditch Disposables

Although a lovely convenience due to their portability and zero maintenance, disposable vape waste is a serious ecological problem. 

The latest research from Material Focus states that nearly 5.5 million vapes are binned each week – roughly 8 per second. This is a huge amount of waste, and although some are recycled, the majority ends up in landfills. 

Disposable vapes also waste valuable materials, such as lithium. Greenpeace UK says that in 2022, over 40 tonnes of lithium were thrown out with disposable vapes, enough to make batteries for 5000 electric cars. 

Furthermore, as seen earlier, disposable vapes are the least cost effective way to transition from smoking to vaping. For a typical smoker, one disposable will last a single day, meaning a month’s worth of disposable vape use could see a minimum of £150 being taken from your account.

Buy A Vape Kit

Opting for a quality refillable vaping device is a key strategy for long-term savings.. Initially, this may require a higher investment, but with proper care, these devices can serve you well over an extended period.

Refillable options demand more upkeep compared to disposable ones. However, the diverse range of vape kits available today ensures you can find one that suits your preferences and budget perfectly.

When selecting a vape kit with the aim of saving money, it’s crucial to consider the cost of consumables, such as coils and pods. Before making a purchase, researching the price of these replacement parts is essential to ensure they’re economically viable in the long run. 

Starter Kits and Pod Kits

When considering the initial investment in vaping equipment, people frequently inquire, “Is vaping cheap in the long run, despite the upfront costs?”

The refillable nature of these devices means significant savings over time. You’ll primarily need to buy replacement coils or pods (depending on your device) and E-Liquids, which overall costs less than continually purchasing disposables.

However, the simplicity of these kits comes with a caveat regarding their potential for long-term savings. Many have built-in batteries that cannot be replaced. Like all batteries, these will degrade with use, typically lasting between six months to two years before performance issues like reduced charge capacity or overheating become noticeable.

While these simple kits might not offer the best long-term savings in vaping, they serve as an excellent introduction for those transitioning from disposables. They may not be a lasting solution, but they provide a cost-effective entry point for newcomers wary of making a significant upfront investment.

Advanced Vape Kits

Advanced vape kits with external batteries offer a sustainable, cost-effective solution for long-term vaping, despite a higher initial price. The key advantage is their reliance on replaceable vape batteries, potentially lasting a lifetime or until the device fails. Additionally, external chargers can quickly recharge these batteries.

These devices are versatile, compatible with a wide range of standard tanks. This flexibility allows users to replace tanks or batteries as needed. 

Moreover, using tanks means only the coils need replacing—not the entire pod—extending the lifespan of the components and offering further savings. Coils typically outlast pods, sometimes lasting up to two weeks with proper maintenance, enhancing both cost efficiency and convenience.

Value E-Liquids

E-Liquid affordability doesn’t equate to compromised quality—the more budget-friendly options are often just as good as their premium counterparts. In fact, some of the most affordable E-Liquid brands in the UK undergo stringent testing to ensure high standards of quality and safety, a topic we explore in our article “Top 3 Best Cheap E-Liquid Brands in the UK.”

Opting for these less expensive E-Liquids can lead to substantial savings without sacrificing flavour or experience. Instead of spending approximately £28 weekly on seven 10ml bottles at £3.99 each, you could be spending as little as £7 for an equivalent quantity of juice.

Simply put, selecting more affordable vape juice is an effective way to reduce vaping expenses.

Summary

Is vaping cheaper than smoking? It absolutely is.

There are still tons of other factors to consider for ex-smokers hoping to move into the vaping sphere, and more ways in which current vapers can save a little more of their hard-earned cash.

But choosing vapour over tobacco smoke is a choice few will come to regret, whether it’s done for the sake of the purse strings or not.

Not sure where to start? Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Vaping for lots of handy info! Or head over to our vape shop to browse what is available.