Vaping vs Smoking: The Real Health and Cost Benefits Explained

Vaping vs Smoking: The Real Health and Cost Benefits Explained

Jack Barlow |

Vaping vs Smoking: The Real Health and Cost Benefits Explained

⏱ Estimated read time: 7–8 minutes • UK & Europe focus

Quick Summary

For adult smokers, switching completely to vaping cuts exposure to the toxic chemicals from burning tobacco and typically slashes monthly costs. It isn’t risk-free, but UK health bodies say it’s far less harmful than smoking. Use it to quit cigarettes, not to start nicotine.

If you smoke, the biggest health win is to stop smoking completely. Many UK smokers now use vaping as a replacement on the road to quitting for good. Below, we explain the health evidence, show a clear cost comparison, and give practical tips for making the switch stick.

Why vaping is different to smoking

Key point: Smoking burns tobacco and creates smoke containing thousands of chemicals (around 70 are known to cause cancer). Vaping heats a liquid to create a vapour with far fewer toxicants. UK health guidance says nicotine vaping is less harmful than smoking for adult smokers trying to quit.

Nicotine is what keeps people hooked, but the vast majority of smoking-related disease comes from the smoke, not the nicotine. That’s why switching to a smoke-free source can dramatically reduce harm for smokers who switch completely.

Smoking Combustion • Tar • Carbon monoxide Vaping Aerosol • No combustion

Health benefits when smokers switch

  • Lower exposure to toxicants: UK evidence reviews report that vaping exposes switchers to far fewer harmful chemicals than cigarette smoke in the short and medium term.
  • Quitting support: A major review found high-certainty evidence that nicotine vapes help more people quit than traditional nicotine replacement therapy (like patches or gum).
  • Breath, fitness and smell/taste: Many switchers report easier breathing and improved taste and smell within weeks as smoke irritation subsides.
Important: Vaping is not for non-smokers or children. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, switching completely can be a practical step to quit.

Smoking vs vaping: real-world costs

UK pack prices have risen sharply in recent years. Using current supermarket pricing and official averages, a pack-a-day smoker typically spends £400–£500 per month on cigarettes. A typical vaper using a refillable pod kit often spends around £90–£150 per month on e-liquid and coils/pods, depending on brand, nicotine strength and usage.

Habit Example daily spend Monthly total (30 days)
Smoking (20 cigarettes/day) £14–£16 £420–£480
Vaping (refillable pod + e-liquid) £3–£5 £90–£150

Notes: cigarette pack prices based on UK supermarket listings and ONS average price series; vaping costs vary by device, juice consumption and nicotine strength.

💰 Estimated Monthly Cost (UK, 2025)

£450 Smoking £120 Vaping 0 £150 £300 £450

Charts & key statistics

Evidence snapshot:
  • UK reviews conclude vaping is a small fraction of the risk of smoking in the short and medium term for adults who switch completely.
  • High-certainty evidence shows nicotine vapes help more people quit than traditional NRT at 6+ months.
  • England’s adult smoking prevalence fell to ~11–12% in 2023, continuing a long downward trend.
“Nicotine vaping is not risk-free, but it is less harmful than smoking.” — NHS Better Health, citing the 2022 UK evidence review

Across Europe, most countries regulate e-cigarettes with age limits, advertising restrictions and warnings. Some are moving to restrict disposables due to youth uptake and environmental concerns, while still recognising that rechargeable systems can help adult smokers switch.

2011 ~19.8% 2023 ~11.6%

Illustrative trend based on official England figures.

How to switch successfully

  • Choose a simple pod kit: Refillable pods are easy and cheaper long-term than disposables.
  • Match nicotine strength: If you smoke 15–20 a day, start around 10–20 mg/ml (nic salt), then step down over time.
  • Replace the routine: Keep your device handy at trigger times (after meals, with coffee). Aim for no cigarettes.
  • Get support: Local stop-smoking services and the NHS app can double your odds of success.

 

References

  • NHS Better Health. “Vaping myths and the facts” — UK guidance stating vaping is less harmful than smoking for adult smokers. Source
  • Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). Nicotine vaping in England: 2022 evidence update — comprehensive review of health risks and perceptions. Summary
  • Cochrane Review (2024 update). Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation — high-certainty evidence vapes outperform NRT for quits at 6+ months. Source
  • ONS. Adult smoking habits in the UK: 2023 — latest prevalence data; England ~11.6%. Source
  • ONS CPI/RPI time series (2025). Average price: 20 king-size cigarettes — indicates pack prices in the £14–£17 range. Source
  • WHO/Europe & Eurobarometer materials — EU context on regulation and usage patterns. WHO factsheet • Eurobarometer overview
Back to Top
Back to top