Vaping is often seen as a “cheaper” alternative to smoking — but is it really saving money? As of 2025, the truth is more complex: vaping can cost nearly as much as — or in some cases more than — traditional cigarettes.
The Real Cost of Vaping
- Adults spend around US $82.22 per month on e-cigarettes (exclusive users) — about US $986 per year (Ma et al., 2024).
- Among dual users (those who both vape and smoke), additional cigarette spending averages US $118.77 per month (Ma et al., 2024).
- Spending by teens and young adults is harder to quantify; estimates in the US $30–75 per month range depend heavily on region, product type, and usage patterns. Scientific literature for this group remains limited.
Even “small” purchases — like disposable vapes or flavored pods — add up surprisingly fast.
Annual Spending Snapshot
| Group | Monthly | Annual (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (vape-only) | ~ US $82 | ~ US $986 |
| Dual users (vape + smoke) | ~ US $82 + US $118.77 * | ~ US $1,182 * |
| Teens / young users | US $30–75 | US $360–900 |
* Note: For dual users, the additional US $118.77 reflects cigarette spending — not the total combined cost.
Why It Adds Up
Flavored pods, disposable devices, and premium e-liquids make vaping deceptively expensive. Frequent refills, upgrades, and impulse buys — plus device failures and curiosity for “new flavors” — can push total spending close to or above that of smoking.
Caveats & Limitations
The US $82.22/month figure comes from a 2023 U.S. adult survey (Ma et al., 2024).
The US $118.77/month reflects cigarette costs for dual users, not overall combined expenses.
There is no peer-reviewed consensus on teen or youth spending; most public figures come from media reports or market surveys.
Local prices, taxes, and product availability can change totals dramatically between countries.
For Additional Context, See:
- He et al., 2024 — How do users compare the costs between nicotine vaping products and cigarettes?
- Jackson et al., 2025 — Changes in expenditure on vaping amid disposable vape rise and regulatory shifts (Great Britain, 2021–2025)
How PuffPiggy Helps You Track & Quit
PuffPiggy turns every missed puff into visible progress. Enter how much you usually spend on vaping — and PuffPiggy will show how much you save each day, week, and month.
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Related Reading
Curious about the cost of smoking? Read our first article: How Much Money Can You Save by Quitting Smoking in 2025?
References
- Ma S., Yang Q., Ahn S., Park H., He Y., Bridges JFP, Shang C. Cost Comparison and Spending on Tobacco Products (2024). medRxiv preprint; Nicotine & Tobacco Research (2025)
- He Y. et al. How do users compare the costs between nicotine vaping products and cigarettes? (2024). Addiction (Wiley)
- Jackson S. et al. Changes in expenditure on vaping amid disposable vape rise and regulatory shifts (2025). medRxiv preprint