Posted 29 June, 2022
How Much Does Vaping Cost in the UK?
By JC Connington
Are you looking at making the switch from smoking cigarettes to vaping? If so, you may have already investigated some of the differences between smoking and vaping. We know that when it comes to looking at what device to use, how long the battery life lasts, or what other consumables are out there - there is a lot to consider. One additional thing you may have considered is: how much does vaping cost?
Continue reading to discover all about the cost of vape prices, heated tobacco and crucially if vaping is cheaper than smoking - with this concise vape price guide.
How much does vaping equipment cost in the UK?
In order to understand how much vaping costs, it is important to understand the equipment that is required to vape, as prices can change depending on the equipment used. Most adults who are considering switching from smoking to vaping and have no prior vaping experience might purchase a vaping starter kit. This could typically include everything that you need such as the e cigarette, a tank or pod, coils, and different e-cigarette liquid flavors. Those different components can also be purchased individually.
Purchasing an e-cigarette device is likely to be a one-off cost with the price varying for cheap vapes and premium vapes. There are also a few more costs to be expected for e-liquid and battery, tank or coil replacements depending on the type of vape device. Some types of e-cigarettes, such as those with pod-based systems do not require purchasing replacement tanks or coils individually, as these are integrated within the pods. Up front costs tend to have stable price points whilst ongoing costs, as outlined below, can vary depending on usage and system.
The cost of e-liquid will depend on your consumption patterns and whether you are using a refillable system or a pod-based system. These things influence price. To give an idea of how much e-liquid can cost, a 10ml bottle of e-liquid can start anywhere from £1 and go upward. Premium e-cigarette liquids might cost more, and pre-filled pods price varying depending on the amount purchased.
Is vaping cheaper than smoking?
While there is an upfront cost to vaping when you purchase an e-cigarette (and any other required components), such as batteries, coils and tanks, vaping is typically more cost-effective than smoking in the long run. However, the cost of vaping compared to smoking depends on personal choices, such as the products preferred and usage.
According to a study published by the ONS (Office for National Statistics), purchasing a pack of 20 King Size filter cigarettes costs £12.64 on average. Based on one person smoking one pack a day at this price point, this will cost £4,613 a year. Comparatively, the average vaper will spend about £5 a week. This saves you over £4000 a year if you make a change. Think of what you could do with the extra cash!
(This data has been used in the April 2022 consumer inflation report which can be read here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/consumerpriceinflation/april2022 )
Aside from cost, what other benefits are there to switching from cigarettes to e cigarettes?
The best option any smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. Vaping is not risk-free. Many e cigarettes provide nicotine, which is addictive. Smoke-free products are intended for use by adults who would otherwise continue to smoke or use nicotine products and are not intended as cessation devices. The best option to reduce the health risks associated with the use of tobacco and nicotine products is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether.
However, for those adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, switching completely to vaping is far less harmful than smoking. This is because vapes do not involve combustion or burning (see burning tobacco), a process that produces smoke containing high levels of harmful chemicals.
Another advantage that e cigarette adult users enjoy greatly is the ability to customize their experience. Due to the wide range of options in vaping devices, device components and e-liquids.
IQOS heated tobacco - an alternative to smoking
Another less harmful alternative to smoking is heated tobacco. Like vapes, heated tobacco products do not burn tobacco and as a result, they do not produce smoke. Unlike vaping, however, heated tobacco products do not use e-liquids; instead, they heat specifically-designed tobacco sticks to release a nicotine-containing flavour. For more information or to start your trial with heated tobacco, click here.
If you are interested in shopping right away, the IQOS shop has IQOS heated tobacco devices to look at or you could use the IQOS store locator to find heated tobacco devices near you.
DISCLAIMER
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.
