Is Vaping Cheaper Than Smoking

Ever been curious about whether vaping might be a more cost-effective option than smoking? From the initial outlay to the ongoing spending, it can be difficult to put a price on vaping each year.

We’ve got you covered. From initial costs of devices to replacement parts and e-liquid, we'll break down all of the factors that go towards a vaping habit to give you a clear picture of the financial pros and cons of vaping.

So, calculators at the ready: let’s dive into whether smoking or vaping is better for your wallet.

What is the average cost of smoking per year?

According to Ash, smokers in the UK spend roughly £12bn a year on smoking, or £2000 a year per smoker. Everyone Health puts the price slightly higher, estimating the cost to be roughly £4800 each year per smoker.

In comparison to smoking, vaping is definitely the cheaper alternative. Estimates for the price per year range from £150 - £700, depending on the initial outlay for buying a vape and how often you use it.

Despite this cost, there’s still a significant difference in the price of smoking versus vaping. If you’ve been thinking about making the switch, now might be the time to do it.

Vaping cost factors

Overall, it's important to consider your own usage patterns and preferences when analyzing the cost of vaping and to take into account the cost of e-liquid, replacement parts, maintenance, and taxes when comparing the costs of vaping to smoking.

Here are some factors that will affect how much you’re spending each week or month on vaping. Each will have a smaller or bigger impact depending on your vaping preferences.

Device

What might put many off from starting vaping is the initial upfront cost of a vape. The price depends on what you’re after: a basic vape will be priced anywhere from £10-£50, whereas a top-of-the-range vape can run into hundreds of pounds.

What device is right for you depends on your vaping levels. For example, disposable vapes might be more cost-effective in the long run if you’re not a heavy vaper or want to try out vaping. A more advanced device with mods is more expensive, but the customisation and features that come with it justify the price.

Replacement coils

These are one of the most frequently purchased replacement parts for a vape. How often you need to replace the coil depends on how much you vape, but you’ll know it by the burnt taste in your mouth!

The cost of a replacement coil can range anything from a few pounds to £10 each, depending on the quality of the coil and the materials used. Newer innovations on the market, like mesh coils, might cost more than traditional coils.

Vape juice

Vape juice is the liquid that’s heated by the device and turned into vapour. A staple of any vaping experience, the e-liquid you purchase to vape with is totally down to personal preference and budget.

E-liquid can vary in price depending on the nicotine strength, size of the bottle, and brand type. A small bottle of vape juice will set you back anywhere between £1-£5, whereas a bigger bottle from a premium brand is in the range of £5-£20.

Maintenance

While a decent vape will last for a while, eventually, it’s going to need some maintenance so it stays in top shape. You may need to replace the battery of the vape, replace other parts that wear out or need to make any repairs.

All of this maintenance and potential repairs to be made will add up in cost over time, but how much is difficult to pinpoint. Buying a quality vape from the outset will reduce these costs, but affect the initial outlay more.

Taxes

In the UK vaping products are subject to VAT, which is currently set at 20%. This tax is included in the price of vaping products and increases the final cost for each consumer. Cigarettes are subject to the same tax as well as another tax called excise duty.

It’s possible that in the future the laws around vaping change and more VAT is applied, or excise duty is introduced. This will in turn make vaping more expensive. Until that point, vaping remains cheaper in terms of taxes paid.

Frequency of use

Understandably, the more you vape, the more you’ll spend. The cost of buying vape juice, replacement coils, and batteries will add up. Some people may find that they are able to save money by vaping less frequently, while others may find that the cost of vaping is relatively constant regardless of usage.

To some extent it depends on the quality of the device you’re using - a premium kit will last longer than a cheap one. You can also buy higher-strength vape juice to still get the same buzz while reducing the amount of e-liquid you need to buy.

Upgrades

While upgrading your vape machine might not apply to everyone to likes to vape, those who want to get a premium and customised experience will need to factor in the cost.

Sometimes upgrades are necessary to keep the vape in peak condition, like new batteries, tanks, coils, drip tips, or other components that can improve the performance of the device. Other times the upgrades are optional. Either way, there’s a cost associated with each.

Overall, the price of each upgrade varies. Buying a new battery or a new tank for a device can be relatively inexpensive while a new box mod or a rebuildable wick and coil can be more expensive.

Final thoughts

Even with the initial outlay and maintenance of vaping, this method comes out on top when it comes to price. There’s no denying smokers spend part with a lot more of their cash to maintain the habit.

If you’ve been thinking about taking the plunge and switching to vaping, you might be wondering where to start. Here at Simply E-Liquid, we have everything covered with our huge range of vape kits. From first-timers to seasoned pros, our selection has something for everyone.