Cost of Vaping vs. Smoking—What’s More Budget-Friendly?

As cigarette prices continue to rise, more smokers are considering vaping as a budget-friendly alternative to tobacco products.

We created this guide to compare the cost of vaping vs. smoking in detail, breaking down initial costs and ongoing expenses and recommending an even more affordable alternative.

Cost of Smoking vs. Vaping—Upfront and Long-Term Costs Compared

Depending on how much you smoke, vaping can be slightly or significantly more affordable than cigarettes. For example, if you smoke around two packs a day, switching to vaping would typically cost you half the price. 

Still, this is only a rough estimate, as the amount you save can vary depending on several factors—like the type of vape device you use and the cost of your cigarettes. In some cases, switching to vapes may even be a more expensive option.

Read on to compare the costs of each option and discover the key factors that influence how much you’ll spend.

How Much Does Smoking Cost?

Source: Brendan Stephens

Cigarette prices vary widely across the U.S., largely due to differing state taxes. In states with the lowest taxes, like Missouri, Georgia, North Dakota, and North Carolina, a pack can cost between $6.11 and $6.58. In higher-tax states, such as New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, cigarette prices are much higher, ranging from $11.11 to $11.96 per pack. 

Taking these price differences into account, the current average price of a pack of cigarettes in the U.S. is around $8, or about $0.40 per cigarette. If you’re a regular smoker who goes through a pack a day, this habit will cost you around $240 per month, adding up to around $2,880 per year. 

Check out the table below for examples of monthly and yearly costs based on how much you smoke each day:

These are current average prices, but you can expect them to rise as cigarette taxes increase each year. On average, cigarette prices have consistently risen by around 7% annually from 1997 to 2022—more than double the regular inflation rate.

You might save a little by buying in bulk or using roll-your-own cigarettes, but these options won’t significantly reduce the overall cost of your smoking habit.

Additional Smoking Costs To Consider

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Aside from buying cigarettes, smoking comes with extra costs, like purchasing lighters, lighter fluid, rolling papers, and cigarette filters. While these may seem minor, they add up over time, increasing your monthly and yearly expenses.

It’s also important to consider the health impact of regular smoking. Cigarettes are associated with various health risks, from mild issues to conditions requiring long-term medical treatment.

In 2018 alone, direct healthcare costs related to cigarette consumption amounted to over $240 billion—a clear reminder of the financial impact this habit can have on the healthcare system and your personal life.

Vaping Price Comparison—Is Vaping Cheaper Than Smoking?

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Generally, vaping is more affordable than smoking, costing around $204 per month or $2,448 per year. Still, these expenses can sometimes be higher and may even surpass the costs of smoking.

Four key factors that influence the costs of switching from cigarettes to vapes include:

1. Type of vape device
2. Maintenance and cleaning tools
3. Price of e-juice
4. Average e-juice consumption

1. Type of Vape Device

The type of vape device you use, and its cost can significantly impact the overall cost of your vaping habit. Vaping devices come in different shapes and sizes, and their prices vary wildly. They fall into four main categories, including disposable vapes and reusable vape pens, vape pods, and vape mods. Here’s how their prices range:

1. Disposable vapes—$5 to $20
2. Vape pens—$10 to $30
3. Vape pods—$15 to $60
4. Box mods—$40 to $200 and more

Unless you use disposable vapes, you’ll only need to purchase a vape device once. Still, reusable vapes have parts that require regular maintenance and replacement to keep the device functioning properly, increasing the long-term costs.

2. Maintenance and Cleaning Tools

Reusable vapes typically require weekly coil replacements as vaping fluid can build up on the coils, resulting in a burnt or muted flavor.

These consumable parts are inexpensive and shouldn’t significantly impact your budget. A pack of five coils costs around $12 and lasts over a month. Pods with built-in coils are pricier, ranging from $15 to $20 for a five-pack.

If you’re a heavy user with a box mod, you’ll also need to budget for extra batteries and a charger as many high-end devices don’t include these add-ons.

3. Price of E-Juice

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E-juice is a crucial part of the vaping experience and has the most significant impact on ongoing costs. The most common types of e-juices are:

• Pre-filled e-juices
• Bottled e-juices
• DIY e-juices

Disposable vapes come pre-filled with e-liquid, adding convenience but increasing the total cost since you’re paying both for e-juice and a new device each time. This makes disposables the most expensive vaping method, with an average e-juice cost of $1.30 per ml.

Most users of refillable vapes purchase e-juice in 10, 30, 60, or 120 ml bottles. Buying larger quantities is more economical, making 60- and 120-ml bottles the most popular choices. Regardless of size, bottled e-juice is a more budget-friendly option than disposables, averaging around $0.43 per ml.

Experienced vapers prefer to mix their own e-juices. This approach maximizes flexibility, allowing you to create a perfect blend for your taste. Although this approach requires some skill and isn’t as convenient as buying ready-made e-juice, it is the most affordable option.

4. Average E-Juice Consumption

When switching from cigarettes to vapes, the type of nicotine you choose will greatly affect your e-juice consumption. Due to higher nicotine levels and better absorption rates, nicotine salts provide a stronger kick and satisfy cravings more quickly than regular freebase e-juices. As a result, you’ll use less vape liquid to meet your needs and spend less.

Your vaping style also affects the average e-juice consumption. For example, high-voltage devices used for direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping use more freebase e-juice compared to mouth-to-lung (MTL) vapes. As a result, if you’re a DTL user, you‘ll go through your supplies faster and might need to purchase e-juice and coils more often.

Nicotine Pouches: The Best Way To Consume Nicotine

Source: SnusBoss

Nicotine pouches are a modern nicotine consumption method inspired by traditional smokeless products like Swedish snus, chewing tobacco, and dip pouches. They are 100% tobacco-free and contain only food-grade ingredients and pharmaceutical nicotine, offering the benefits of nicotine consumption while minimizing the risks associated with tobacco.

How Much Do Nicotine Pouches Cost?

Nicotine pouches are a cost-effective and safer alternative to vaping and smoking. When purchased in bulk, they can cost as little as $2.79 for a can with 20 pouches. This amounts to around $42 per month or $504 per year for a regular user who consumes one can every two days.

If you prefer not to buy your nicotine pouches in bulk, you’ll pay around $4.50 per can. This works out to $0.20 per pouch, which is half the cost of an average cigarette.

At these prices, nicopods provide one of the most convenient and affordable ways to meet your daily nicotine needs and ease oral fixation. They eliminate the need for costly devices, DIY e-liquids, and regular maintenance, offering a clean nicotine experience without smoke or vapor, similar to NRT products like nicotine gum.

How To Use Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine pouches are significantly easier to use than vapes and much more convenient than cigarettes. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Place a single pouch between your gums and upper lip
2. Keep the pouch in for 5 to 45 minutes, depending on your nicotine tolerance. Don’t chew, suck, or swallow the pouch
3. When you’re done, or the pouch is no longer releasing nicotine and flavor, discard it under the catch lid on the can

Nicotine pouches also deliver nicotine more safely than vapes and cigarettes. Upon placing a nicotine pouch in your mouth, saliva moistens its contents, prompting a gradual release of nicotine, which is then absorbed by the tiny blood vessels in your oral mucosa (the inner lining of your mouth). From there, the nicotine enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain, curbing your cravings and triggering a feeling of calmness or alertness, depending on the strength of your pouches.

Key Advantages of Using Nicotine Pouches

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Besides being cheaper than vapes and cigarettes, as well as free from tobacco, nicotine pouches offer the following advantages:

• Various strengths—Nicotine pouches range from 3 mg/g for the mildest pouches up to 50 mg/g for the strongest options. You can also get nicotine-free options if you are transitioning from CBD vapes or want to quit nicotine altogether
• High absorption rates—With absorption rates of up to 50%, nicotine pouches are among the most efficient nicotine delivery methods on the market
• Prolonged experience—While cigarettes and vapes deliver nicotine instantly, their effects are short-lived. Nicotine pouches provide a more sustained experience, causing a buzz that can last for hours
• Wide selection of flavors—Nicotine pouches offer a vast selection of flavors, from traditional minty and fruity aromas to delicious dessert-inspired pouches and even spicy options
• No teeth stains—Unlike vapes, nicotine pouches won’t stain your teeth, cause plaque buildup, or lead to cavities, keeping your teeth bright and your breath fresh even with regular use
• Convenient and discreet—Nicotine pouches sit comfortably under the lip without creating noticeable bulges, allowing you to use them discreetly, even in public places where smoking is prohibited

Where To Get Premium Nicotine Pouches in the U.S.

SnusBoss is a trusted online vendor of premium EU-made nicotine pouches. Led by a team of experts with over a decade of experience in the nicotine industry, it provides top-quality nicopods that surpass domestic products in flavor richness, moisture content, potency, and affordability.

It also offers frequent discounts and promotional deals, allowing you to save even more on your favorite brands. If you’re a regular user and a loyal customer, SnusBoss offers coupon codes for additional savings and free shipping on bulk purchases. 

Check the table below for a complete catalog of fantastic nicotine pouch brands available at SnusBoss:

To place an order with SnusBoss, follow these easy steps:

1. Go to the online store
2. Pick your desired brand, strength, and flavor
3. Provide your shipping and payment details

If you choose express delivery at checkout, you will receive the shipment in 2–3 business days. Shipping is free for orders above $249.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vaping Cheaper Than Smoking?

Yes, vaping is generally cheaper than smoking, especially for regular and heavy smokers. Vaping requires an initial investment in a device, but the ongoing costs for e-juice and coil replacements are typically lower than the cost of buying cigarettes. Still, the final cost depends on devices, vaping habits, and e-juice preferences.

How Many Puffs of Vape Is Equal to a Cigarette?

The number of vape puffs equal to a cigarette ranges from 10 to 15. This depends on factors like nicotine strength, vape device, and vaping style. Generally, around 100–150 puffs from a standard vape equals the nicotine in one pack of cigarettes. 

Will My Lungs Heal if I Quit Smoking and Start Vaping?

Quitting smoking and switching to vaping will reduce exposure to the harmful toxins found in cigarette smoke, allowing for some lung healing. While vaping is less harmful than smoking, it still contains harmful chemicals like diacetyl and acetylpropionyl, which may cause lung damage and even lead to cancer.

Who Shouldn’t Use Nicotine Pouches?

Certain individuals are particularly sensitive to nicotine and should avoid it altogether, including:

• Minors under the age of 21
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• People with underlying cardiovascular issues and type 2 diabetes

While nicotine is not associated with serious health risks, it’s an addictive substance that can lead to strong dependency and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms with prolonged use. If you haven’t previously used any nicotine or tobacco products, it’s best to avoid nicotine pouches.

Featured image source: haiberliu