Thanks and I apologize for the intrusion into your personal life and health issues. As I have no expertise, or even any knowledge of your situation, I'll confine my comments to getting started with vaping.
First, and maybe most importantly, try your best to stay away from the smokes. From a 40+ year mostly heavy smoker, they are not your friend and once they get their hook in you (and believe me, they will), you will have another serious issue to deal with. Most here are vaping to eliminate that demon, so kick that aside A.S.A.P. Enough of the preaching.
I'm not sure what to suggest for your first gear. There are just so many options available today it's difficult to suggest for somebody quitting the smokes, let alone a non-smoker wanting to pick up vaping. If you know anybody that already vapes, perhaps they would let you try not only their set-up but a juice or two. If not, check for any vape shops you could visit. I have no idea where you live/work, but I'm very rural yet drive 100 miles to my vape shop. That way you can actually see, touch, and get information about various options. And if they allow trying flavors (some/many don't due to regs in USA), try some until you find a couple that work for you. Just remember, just because you "shopped" there does not obligate you to buy there. Find what you think you will like and then compare their price to online prices. If reasonably close, give them your business. It is always nice to have someplace to go for help or plain old vaping camaraderie. And IMHO, having a good juice is paramount to a successful entry into vaping.
If you unfortunately don't have either of those options, start looking online for what looks like will work for you. Then before you order, stop back here for opinions on what you are looking at. Maybe even do a lot of reading around here in any of the sub-forums for mods, tanks, and e-juice. I think you already got some not so supportive comments on the disposables you were looking at. For those of us trying to kick the smoking habit, they didn't fit the bill. I can't say for sure for a non-smoker, but think you can do better at the same monthly cost. Which brings me to my last point.....
"A cost efficient solution." I'm out of touch with "starter kits", but would think you could get set up with a couple re-chargeables, a couple tanks, some juice, and spare coils for $100 or a bit more depending. Since you are not quitting the smokes (in the normal sense), perhaps one set-up to try would let you try it out. I think you have already gotten a few suggestions, so check those out and see where they fit into your budget. If still unsure, come back with any further questions you may have.
Good luck and hope you can find something that works for you!
