Is Vaping Cheaper Than Smoking? A UK Cost Breakdown

One of the biggest reasons people switch from smoking to vaping is money. But how much do you actually save? Let's put real UK numbers on it.

This is for adult smokers and ex-smokers. If you don't smoke, don't start vaping — no saving is worth that.

The cost of smoking

A pack of 20 cigarettes in the UK now costs around £16. For a pack-a-day smoker, that's:

• Per day: about £16

• Per month: around £480

• Per year: roughly £5,800

Even at ten a day, you're looking at well over £200 a month. It's a sobering number when you total it up.

The cost of vaping

Vaping costs fall into two buckets: a small one-off outlay and a modest ongoing spend.

One-off:

• A good refillable MTL or pod kit: roughly £15 to £30, and it lasts a long time.

Ongoing:

• E-liquid: a 10ml bottle of nic salt is about £3 to £4 and lasts most switchers several days. Call it £25 to £40 a month.

• Coils: a pack of replacement coils is a few pounds and lasts weeks. Budget £5 to £10 a month.

That puts typical refillable vaping at roughly £30 to £50 a month — and often less once you settle into a routine.

Side by side

• Smoking (20 a day): around £480 a month.

• Refillable vaping: around £30 to £50 a month.

• Monthly saving: roughly £430 to £450.

• Yearly saving: comfortably £5,000+.

Even a lighter smoker typically saves several hundred pounds a year.

What about disposables?

Disposables are the exception — a daily disposable habit can cost as much as smoking, or more. That's a big reason we steer switchers towards refillable kits in Disposable vs refillable. The savings above assume a refillable setup.

How to keep costs lowest

• Go refillable, not disposable.

• Match your nicotine strength so you're satisfied and not over-vaping — see What nicotine strength should a beginner use?.

• Replace coils on time to keep flavour good and avoid waste; a burnt coil wastes liquid — see Why does my vape taste burnt?.

The bottom line

For most UK smokers, switching to refillable vaping saves several thousand pounds a year — alongside the health benefits of leaving cigarettes behind. If you're ready, start with our Beginner's Guide.