How Much Do Disposable Vapes Cost in the UK?
Disclaimer: the information provided in this article is correct at the time of publication. This article is not monitored or updated periodically.
Disposable vape prices can vary. You could find these products for under £10 in the UK, although the exact cost of disposable vapes is down to the model in question.
As an adult smoker who would otherwise continue to smoke, switching to an alternative like disposable vapes may be an option to consider - depending on the product. If you’re thinking of switching to disposable vapes, it’s understandable to have questions like ‘how much does a disposable vape cost?’ This is important to know, particularly when wondering how switching will impact your lifestyle.
Are Disposable Vapes Cheaper?
When wondering ‘how much are disposable vapes?’ a common follow-on question could be ‘how does the average disposable vape cost compare to cigarettes - or other potential alternatives to smoking?’ Although this could vary depending on the manufacturer, here’s a general overview of the average cost of disposable vapes compared to cigarettes, and other possible smoke-free alternatives.
Cigarettes vs Disposable Vape Price Comparison
The average cost of a pack of 20 king-size filter cigarettes in the UK was £14.55 in August 2023* If a cigarette is considered to have around 14 puffs, a pack of 20 cigarettes could contain around 280 puffs. In comparison, disposable vapes in the UK can only be designed to hold 2ml of e-liquid, which could amount to roughly 500-600 puffs. Taking this into account – in addition to the fact that a disposable vape in the UK could cost under £10 - the cost of disposable vapes may work out to be cheaper than cigarettes. This also doesn’t consider the cost of buying lighters or matches that are typically needed to smoke a cigarette.
Of course, the above pricing and puff counts are just estimations. The number of puffs an adult user might have of either product may depend on personal usage - and the exact cost of these products also could vary.
*Source: ONS dataset. Average price – Cigarettes 20 king size filter, August 2023.
Rechargeable Vape vs Disposable Vape Price Comparison
It’s perhaps more difficult to work out how the cost of other e-cigarettes and vapes compares to disposable vapes. For example, rechargeable devices may require users to buy additional components on top of the device itself, including tanks, coils, pods and e-liquids. There might be replacement batteries to consider too. That said, the components needed for a rechargeable vape may also vary. Some devices may be simpler than others, and don’t need much more than e-liquid - while there are others which could be more complex and customisable.
Even vape starter kits for a fairly simple device would generally cost more than a disposable vape. However, reusable vapes typically last longer in comparison, and could be more cost-effective than disposables in the long run.
Ultimately, exactly how a disposable vape price could differ from that of other devices will depend on the products you’re comparing, and how much you intend to use them.
The Cost of Heated Tobacco vs Cigarettes
Heated tobacco could be another smoke-free alternative adult smokers may want to consider over continuing to smoke. For example, the IQOS ILUMA is a better alternative to cigarettes. IQOS ILUMA Smartcore Induction Technology heats tobacco instead of burning it to deliver the taste of real tobacco.
Important information: IQOS ILUMA is not risk-free.
IQOS ILUMA can only be used with TEREA tobacco sticks, which cost £6 per pack of 20 in the UK. A pack of 20 TEREA sticks is cheaper than the average cost for a pack of 20 king-size cigarettes (£14.55).*
*Source: ONS dataset. Average price – Cigarettes 20 king size filter, August 2023.
If you’re using an older generation of IQOS, such as the IQOS 3 DUO, these won’t be compatible with TEREA sticks. These older IQOS devices can only be used with HEETS sticks - which also cost £6 per pack.
It’s also worth noting that vapes and heated tobacco products can differ significantly in terms of experience. You can find out more on how heated tobacco and vaping compare through our guide ‘Heated Tobacco vs Vaping: Which is Right for You?’
Smoke-free products are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. Smoke-free products are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids. The best decision any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether.
This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.
