How Much Does Vaping Cost Compared To Smoking?

How Much Does Vaping Cost Compared To Smoking?

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Did you know that the average smoker in the UK will spend about £2,920 a year on their habit? (1) To put that into perspective, the average annual energy bill for a 2-3 person household is £1,769.(2) Following the Spring Budget announcment earlier this year, the average price for a pack of cigarettes in the UK has gone up to £16. Smoking is literally burning a hole in your pocket and if the health incentives don't motivate you then the financial ones should.

So how much does vaping cost in 2024 and how much does vaping really save you compared to smoking? In this article, we are going to break down the cost of vaping over a year, compare it to cigarette prices and show you how you can spend up to 4 times less when you switch to vaping.

How Much Does Vaping Cost a Year?

You can expect to spend around £648 pounds a year when you switch to vaping - over 70% less than smoking. A decent starter vape kit can set you back anywhere between £10 to £20, but this is a one off purchase after which your main upkeep costs will be coils and e-liquids.

A refillable pod kit needs coils to vaporise the e-liquid and they typically last between 1-2 weeks, depending on your use. This works out to approximately £11 a month or £132 per year.

How much e-liquid you use will depend on your personal consumption and your nicotine strength. A 10ml bottle of nic salt e-liquid costs around £3-£4 and can deliver up to 3000 puffs per bottle. On average three 10ml bottles should last you a week. You can add further savings with a multi-buy deal and get three e-liquids for £10. You'll spend about £516 a year on e-liquid.

 
 

Cost of Vaping Example

Here is a detailed breakdown of how much vaping will cost you in 2024:

  • Vape Starter Kit: £10-£20 (one-time cost)
  • Coils: £11 (per month)
  • E-liquid: £43 (per month - based on a 10ml bottle of nic salts at a 10mg strength, which will cost about £3)

 

Average Monthly Cost of Vaping: £54
 
Average Annual Cost of Vaping (minus kit): £648
 
After 1st October 2026 Tax Increase:
Following the Vaping Tax announcement in the 2024 Spring Budget, as of October 1st 2026, the cost of 10ml e-liquids are set to increase by the following amounts:
  • £1 for 10ml nicotine free e-liquids.
  • £2 for 10ml e-liquids containing 0.1-10.9mg of nicotine.
  • £3 for 10ml e-liquids containing 11mg+ of nicotine.

 

This is how an average monthly and yearly vaping cost will look once this takes effect:

  • Vape Starter Kit: £20 (one-time cost)
  • Coils: £11 (per month)
  • E-liquid: £65 (per month - based on a 10ml bottle of nic salts at a 10mg strength, which will cost about £5)
 

Average Monthly Cost of Vaping: £76

Average Annual Cost of Vaping: £912

Even after the new vape levy kicks in, vaping will still be more than three times cheaper compared to a 10 a day smoking habit.

 

What is the Cost of a Refillable Vape Kit?

Here is an example of how much a full setup for a refillable vape would cost using one of Vape Superstore's best selling starter kits, the Vaporesso XROS Mini:

 

£12.95
£9.95
£2.95

How Much Do Disposable Vapes Cost?

Disposable vapes are over 50% cheaper than smoking and a fantastic option for beginners as they have no learning curve. Whilst not nearly as economical as a refillable vape kit, disposable vapes still offer huge savings when compared to tobacco.

A disposable will set you back about £4.95 for a device that delivers 600 puffs which should last you between 1-2 days, depending on use. Our multi-buy 5 for £20 disposables deal at Vape Superstore can save you a further 19%

Assuming you use one every two days, the cost of using disposables is:

  • £20 per week
  • £87 per month
  • £1,040 per year

 

Come October 1st 2026, however, your only options will be prefilled pod kits and refillable devices, which come in at a lot cheaper with relatively little hassle - so good news really!

 

The Cost of Vaping vs Smoking

A graph showing the cost of Vaping vs Smoking

 Switching to vaping could see you spending up to 3 times less per year.

 

 

A refillable pod kit works out at £2,264 cheaper per year than a 10-a-day smoking habit.

Such a substantial saving like that can, along with the health benefits, provide a tangible motivation to help you make the switch to vaping.

The Cost of Cigarettes in the UK

A graph showing the increase in cigarette prices from 2002 to 2023

Cigarette prices in the UK have gone up a colossal 200% from £5.33 in 2007 to an average cost of £16 (3), and rolling tobacco now averages at £10.54 per 30g pouch.

Cost of Tobacco in the UK 2024

    Cigarettes (10 a day)

  • £56 per week
  • £243 per month
  • £2,920 per year

    Cigarettes (20 a day)

  • £112 per week
  • £486 per month
  • £5,840 per year

    Rolling Tobacco

  • £961 per year (10 a day)
  • £1,922 per year (20 a day)

Our Vaping Starter Kit Recommendations

You can save even more with Vape Superstore's bundle deals, grab a full setup and save up to 25%!

£34.95
£17.95
£29.95

Summary

Whilst a lot of the focus around swapping cigarettes for vapes is centred on health, there are also big financial gains to be had when you make the switch, money that could be spent on much needed essentials or a rewarding holiday. Switching to vaping is vastly cheaper than smoking and the financial savings you make can be an excellent motivator to help you quit. Disposable vapes offer an easy way for beginners to start vaping, but a refillable pod kit is is worth the investment if you are committed to leaving tobacco behind for good. Don't be put off by the maintenance side of owning a refillable pod kit. Their user-friendly designs make them virtually provides a seamless transition from disposables and they will net you the biggest cost savings by far.

 

If you are new to vaping, our Ultimate Beginner Vaping Guide will walk you through what vaping has to offer and help you find the perfect setup, and our comprehensive guides section will answer any other questions you may have.


Sources

  1. Cigarettes smoked per day in the UK as of June 2023 - statista.com
  2. What is the average energy bill in Great Britain? - britishgas.co.uk
  3. RPI: Ave price - Cigarettes 20 king size filter - ons.gov.uk

 

www.vapesuperstore.co.uk contains general information about vaping and vapour products. The information provided is not medical advice, and should not be relied upon unless explicitly cited. We do not make any warranties surrounding the health benefits, reliability and accuracy of written copy across all pages on our website, including blog content and content posted on social media.

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Author Image: David Phillips
About the Author: David Phillips
David Phillips is the lead content writer at Vape Superstore, with a decade of involvement in the vaping industry. Armed with a journalism diploma, he has spent the past ten years exploring the world of vaping. David has a hands-on research approach and is committed to delivering fact-based content that is useful to readers. As a former smoker, he has personally experienced the advantages that switching to vaping has to offer, not only for well-being but also for cost savings. David is enthusiastic about raising awareness about vaping’s benefits and helping people make the switch away from tobacco.
Read all articles by David Phillips

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