Long-Term (1-20 Years) Savings: Smoking vs. Vaping
Assuming the smoker spends $2,920 per year on cigarettes (1 pack per day) and switches to a $500 vape pen, check out the long-term savings over the next 20 years.
Dec 20, 2024
How Much Can You Save From Smoking to Vaping?
Quick Answer: The savings depend on how much you smoke, but on average:
1. For someone smoking 5 cigarettes a day, savings can range from $230 to $480 annually.
2. For 10 cigarettes a day, you could save between $960 and $1,160 each year.
3. For 15 cigarettes a day, expect savings of $1,590 to $1,840 annually.
4. For 20 cigarettes a day, you can save anywhere from $2,220 to $2,520 per year.
Over the long term, these savings add up. For example, after 20 years, you could save as much as $486,200 by switching from smoking one pack a day to vaping with a vape pen.
If you're considering making the switch, it’s helpful to understand the price differences and how they add up over the years. Let’s break down the costs for various vaping devices and see how much you could save in the long run.
How Much Does a Cig-a-like Cost?
A cig-a-like costs around $8 to $12 for a starter kit. The real cost comes from replacing the cartridges, which last 1 to a few days. This adds up quickly, and the yearly cost can range from $250 to $600. While cheaper than smoking initially, it’s not cost-effective long-term.
How Much Does a Vape Pen Cost?
Vape pens typically cost $15 to $40 for a basic model. They’re reusable, so you only need to buy new e-liquid or pods ($10 to $20), which last 1 to 2 weeks. Expect to spend $300 to $600 annually. The higher upfront cost is balanced by cheaper replacement costs in the long run.
How Much Does a Box Mod Cost?
Box mods offer more power and customization, costing $40 to $150, or even over $200 for premium models. E-liquid costs $15 to $30 per bottle. With moderate use, the yearly cost ranges from $500 to $800. While pricier upfront, box mods are more durable and provide a better vaping experience.
How Much Does a Pod Mod Cost?
Pod mods cost $25 to $60 for a starter kit, with refill pods costing $5 to $10 each. Pods last 1 to 2 weeks, and annual costs range from $400 to $700. Pod mods strike a good balance between price, performance, and convenience.
How Much Does a Disposable Vape Cost?
Disposable vapes cost $5 to $15 and are pre-filled, so no setup is required. They last a few days to a week, and if you vape regularly, you’ll spend $500 to $1,000 annually. While convenient, disposable vapes are one of the most expensive long-term options.
How Much Do Cigarettes Cost in 2024
In 2024, the price of cigarettes varies significantly across the United States. On average, a pack of cigarettes costs around $8.00. However, prices fluctuate depending on state taxes, local regulations, and the price of the brand. For example, in Missouri, the cost is among the lowest, at just $6.11 per pack, while in New York, cigarette prices can soar up to $11.96 per pack. Here's a closer look at the range of prices:
1. Average Price: $8.00 per pack
2. Low-end Price: $6.11 per pack (Missouri)
3. High-end Price: $11.96 per pack (New York)
4. Median Price: $7.93 per pack
Each pack contains 20 cigarettes, which means the cost per cigarette ranges from $0.31 to $0.60. The median cost per cigarette in the U.S. stands at $0.40, while the average cost per cigarette is also around $0.40.
Vaping vs. Smoking Costs
Cigarette Costs Calculation (Per Year)
5 Cigarettes per Day
1. Cost per Cigarette: $0.40
2. Annual Cost: $0.40 x 5 x 365 = $730 per year
10 Cigarettes per Day
1. Cost per Cigarette: $0.40
2. Annual Cost: $0.40 x 10 x 365 = $1,460 per year
15 Cigarettes per Day
1. Cost per Cigarette: $0.40
2. Annual Cost: $0.40 x 15 x 365 = $2,190 per year
20 Cigarettes/1 Pack per Day
1. Cost per Cigarette: $0.40
2. Annual Cost: $0.40 x 20 x 365 = $2,920 per year
Vaping Costs Calculation (Per Year)
Here we adjust the costs for vaping based on the type of device. We'll assume moderate consumption with e-liquids and average vaping device costs.
Cig-a-like (Low consumption)
Annual Cost: $250 to $500
Vape Pen (Moderate consumption)
Annual Cost: $300 to $500
Pod Mod (Moderate to high consumption)
Annual Cost: $350 to $600
Box Mod (Higher consumption)
Annual Cost: $400 to $700
Savings: Smoking vs. Vaping
Now, let’s compare the annual costs of smoking and vaping for each group and calculate the savings when switching from smoking to vaping.
For 5-Cigarettes Smoker per Day
1. Cigarette Costs: $730
2. Vape Costs (Cig-a-like): $250 to $500
3. Savings: $230 - $480
For 10-Cigarettes Smoker per Day
1. Cigarette Costs: $1,460
2. Vape Costs (Vape Pen): $300 to $500
3. Savings: $960-$1,160
For 15-Cigarettes Smoker per Day
1. Cigarette Costs: $2,190
2. Vape Costs (Pod Mod or Vape Pen): $350 to $600
3. Savings: $1,590-$1,840
For 20-Cigarettes Smoker per Day
1. Cigarette Costs: $2,920
2. Vape Costs (Pod Mod or Box Mod): $400 to $700
3. Savings: $2,220-$2,520
| Year | Cigarettes (Annual Cost) | Vape Pen (Annual Cost) | Savings (Per Year) | Cumulative Savings |
| 1 | $2,920 | $500 | $2,420 | $2,420 |
| 2 | $5,840 | $1,000 | $4,840 | $7,260 |
| 3 | $8,760 | $1,500 | $7,260 | $14,520 |
| 4 | $11,680 | $2,000 | $9,680 | $24,200 |
| 5 | $14,600 | $2,500 | $12,100 | $36,300 |
| 6 | $17,520 | $3,000 | $14,520 | $50,820 |
| 7 | $20,440 | $3,500 | $16,940 | $67,760 |
| 8 | $23,360 | $4,000 | $18,560 | $83,520 |
| 9 | $26,280 | $4,500 | $20,880 | $104,400 |
| 10 | $29,200 | $5,000 | $23,200 | $127,600 |
| 11 | $32,120 | $5,500 | $25,520 | $153,120 |
| 12 | $35,040 | $6,000 | $27,840 | $180,960 |
| 13 | $37,960 | $6,500 | $30,160 | $211,120 |
| 14 | $40,880 | $7,000 | $32,480 | $243,600 |
| 15 | $43,800 | $7,500 | $34,800 | $277,400 |
| 16 | $46,720 | $8,000 | $37,120 | $314,520 |
| 17 | $49,640 | $8,500 | $39,440 | $353,960 |
| 18 | $52,560 | $9,000 | $41,760 | $395,720 |
| 19 | $55,480 | $9,500 | $43,080 | $439,800 |
| 20 | $58,400 | $10,000 | $46,400 | $486,200 |
Note:
1. Cigarette Costs are calculated based on the median price of $0.40 per cigarette. The calculation follows a simple formula:
2. Cost per cigarette x Number of cigarettes per day x 365 days.
3. Vaping Costs:
The vaping costs were calculated for different devices such as Cig-a-like, Vape Pen, Pod Mod, and Box Mod.
For Cig-a-likes, the lower range is used for lighter vapers. For Vape Pens, Pod Mods, and Box Mods, the annual cost varies depending on usage (e-liquid consumption).
Savings are calculated by subtracting the vaping cost from the cigarette cost for each smoking habit.
Long-Term Savings: This table assumes that the smoker is currently spending $2,920 annually (1 pack per day) on cigarettes and switches to a $500 vape pen (yearly cost). The savings increase as the smoker continues vaping over the next 20 years, with the device's cost spread over time.
What If You Are Both a Smoker and a Vaper?
On average, dual usersspend approximately $82.22 per month on e-cigarettes and $118.77 per month on cigarettes. Which means that dual users are spending significantly more on traditional cigarettes than on vaping.
Final Words
At the end of the day, switching from smoking to vaping can save you a pretty solid amount of cash—especially if you're a regular smoker. Sure, vaping costs a bit to set up, but once you're past that initial spend, you’ll find the long-term costs are way lower than buying cigarettes day in and day out. Over time, you could end up pocketing a lot more money, and the best part? You’ll be saving both cash and your health.
