How Much Does Vaping Cost Compared To Smoking?

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.

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.

But 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: £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:

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

 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

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.

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%!