Vaping can be considerably cheaper than smoking for adults who switch. Smoking 20 cigarettes a day can cost more than £5,800 a year,* whereas vaping costs an estimated third as much as smoking once the initial kit has been bought.

In 2026, 58% of ex-smokers in Great Britain who had quit within the previous five years said they used a vape to help them quit. This is approximately 2.5 million people.
But the cost of smoking isn’t solely financial, it presents a serious cost to both your wallet and your health as the leading preventable cause of death, disability and ill health in the UK and is responsible for around 80,000 deaths each year.

So how do current UK cigarette prices compare with vaping costs, and how much could you save by making the switch?

How Much Is a Packet of Cigarettes in the UK?

UK cigarette prices are among the highest in Europe and have risen sharply over the past two decades. Since 2007, the average price of a 20-pack of cigarettes has more than tripled, increasing from £4.91 to £16.60.

Although the cheapest cigarettes found cost £13 for a pack of 20, supermarket prices in July 2026 more often started at around £14.75 and rose to almost £20 for premium brands. As prices continue to increase, smoking is becoming increasingly unaffordable. From 1 October 2026, Tobacco Duty will increase again, with HMRC estimating that the change will add a further £1.21 to the price of a packet of 20 cigarettes.

How Much Does Vaping Cost?

Vaping can be considerably cheaper than smoking for those who switch completely. So, how much does it cost to vape? The answer depends on factors such as:

• How frequently you vape
• The type of device you use
• The amount and cost of your chosen e-liquid or refills
• How often replacement pods or coils are needed

How much cheaper is vaping than smoking?

A study of adults in England found that people who used only e-cigarettes spent around £13 less per week than people who smoked, which is roughly £674 a year.

Though the initial setup and the ongoing maintenance of your e-cig may seem expensive, the total cost of maintaining your vape kit is minimal compared to the price of cigarettes. OK Vape Cigalike starter kits are available from as little as £4.50 and Cigalike refills can cost just £5.60 per pack as part of a multibuy. For refillable devices, OK Vape 50:50 e-liquid costs £3.75 per 10ml bottle or from £2.17 per bottle in a multibuy.

As of 1 October 2026, Vaping Products Duty also applies to vaping liquids, although the government has introduced an additional increase to Tobacco Duty at the same time to help maintain the price difference between vaping and smoking.

No matter your smoking habits, it’s clear that vaping can be a more budget-friendly alternative to tobacco products.

The Real Costs of Smoking

The impact of smoking extends far beyond disposable income. Reports estimate that smoking costs society £53.2 billion across the UK each year, including about £33 billion in lost productivity and £2.1 billion in NHS healthcare costs. From hospital treatment to long-term care and time away from work, smoking-related illness places significant pressure on individuals, public services and the wider economy.

Around half of all lifelong smokers die prematurely, losing an average of 10 years off their life.
The health impact of smoking can also affect those around you, as second-hand cigarette smoke causes serious harm to others. In comparison, there is currently no evidence that vaping is harmful to people around you, and any risks are likely to be very low.

How Much Could You Save by Switching from Smoking to Vaping?

The amount you could save by switching depends on how much you currently spend on cigarettes. Use our vaping savings calculator to compare the estimated cost of smoking with the cost of vaping and see how much you could save.

Getting Started with Vaping: What Are the Options?

The Verdict: Is Vaping Cheaper Than Smoking?

Plain and simple, vaping can be considerably cheaper than smoking for adults who switch completely. Although vaping costs vary depending on the device, how frequently it is used and ongoing purchases, they are generally much lower than the cost of continuing to buy cigarettes.

The potential financial saving is not the only consideration. Switching to vaping reduces exposure to many of the harmful toxins found in cigarette smoke.

If you are considering making the switch, explore our range of vape kits to view the available options or check out our starter kit guide on the best vape kit for beginners to compare and find a kit suited to your habits and preferences.

*Based on a pack of 20 cigarettes costing £14.75 in July 2026, plus HMRC’s estimated £1.21 increase from 1 October 2026, and the average person smoking up to 20 cigarettes per day.