Smoking is not only detrimental to one’s health but also to their bank account. As cigarette prices continue to rise, smokers are looking for more cost-effective and less harmful alternatives.
Recent studies have shown that making the switch to vaping can lead to significant savings, with some individuals saving up to £780 a year. In the midst of the cost of living crisis, finding ways to save money is essential, and switching to vaping can be a viable solution.
In this post, we are going to delve into the costs of smoking vs vaping, explore the supplies needed to make the switch, and highlight the potential financial benefits of vaping over smoking. Let's dive in and see how much you could save by making the switch.
The cost of smoking
Smoking is not only an expensive habit, it also impacts your health in the long run, making it a double-edged sword. In the UK, the average cost of a pack of cigarettes is around £10, with some brands costing up to £15. This means that if you smoke a pack a day, you could be spending over £3650 a year on cigarettes alone. This doesn’t even factor in the additional costs of lighters, ashtrays, and other smoking accessories.
The cost of vaping
The initial cost of a vape kit may be higher than a pack of cigarettes, however the ongoing cost will be significantly lower. A starter kit usually costs around £10 - £25 depending on the type of device, and e-liquids cost on average £4 for a 10ml bottle. The amount you are likely to spend on vaping in a year will depend on your usage, but it is estimated that the average vaper spends around £500 per year.
It's important to note that vaping devices often last much longer than a pack of cigarettes. A single 10ml bottle of e-liquid can fill a vape tank or pod five times, and vaping devices can last for several months or even years with proper care and maintenance. This means that the overall cost of vaping is likely to be much lower than smoking.
What vaping supplies are needed to make the switch?
To make the switch from smoking to vaping, you will need to start off with a vaping device and e-liquids. E-liquids come in a variety of flavours and nicotine strengths, so it’s important to choose one that matches your current nicotine intake, we have a guide to finding the right nicotine strength in our ‘Switching made simple’ guide.
Coils are the heating element that vaporizes the e-liquid, and they need to be replaced on average every 1-2 weeks depending on usage.
How vaping can be more cost-effective than NRTs?
Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) can be expensive, especially when used over a long period of time. A pack of nicotine patches can cost around £15, and a pack of nicotine gum can cost around £10. In contrast, vaping can be a more cost-effective alternative for smokers who want to quit.
According to research by University College London, smokers who switch to vaping can save up to £780 per year. This is because vaping devices are reusable, and e-liquids are typically cheaper than tobacco products. Also, vaping can provide a similar experience to smoking, which can help smokers transition to a smoke-free lifestyle.
How much money can you save by making the switch?
Switching to vaping from smoking or using NRTs can result in substantial cost savings. According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) over half a million social housing tenants in the UK are living in poverty due to the cost of smoking.
A smoker who smokes a pack a day could spend over £3,000 per year on cigarettes, while a regular vaper using a refillable device and e-liquids could spend as little as £500 per year. This could result in you saving hundreds if not thousands, which could be money better spent on groceries, bills or even a much needed holiday.
Making the decision to switch from smoking to vaping can have significant benefits, not only for your health but for your finances also. The amount of money you can save will depend on your personal circumstances. Factors such as your current smoking habits and the amount you spend on cigarettes will impact how much you can possibly save.
If you would like to start your journey to save more money by switching to vaping, check out a wide range of products online, pop into your local Evapo store or speak to friendly our friendly Customer Service team who will be able to help.
Sources
ash.org.uk 27/06/2019
statista.com 15/02/2023
ucl.ac.uk 26/06/2019
