Is vaping really cheaper than smoking

[ian-field]

Personally I think it generally falls under three categories

- Those who spend too much money making the mistake of considering it a hobby rather than an alternative.
- Those who aren't satisfied with the performance of their first setup and spend more dollars looking for something that works.
- Those who get overwhelmed by all the choices and get caught up in the experimentation.

If you don't fall under any of those categories, what's the cost difference attributed too?

My philosophy, find something that works and stick with it.

My first was a Vapourlites e-cig, they're such crap I can't believe the type remain profitable to retailers!

Current equipment is a Liberty-Flights Vivi-Nova V2, but that's now discontinued and a big ? over continued availability of atomiser heads.

After discussing possible replacements at the recently opened Liberty-Flights shop, it seems I can save small amounts on consumables by switching from 510 to eGo.

Recently some discount stores have introduced e-cigs with decent looking battery and refillable-disposable clearomiser (you can't take them apart and rewind the atomiser head) - mostly in the price range £6 - £10. Clearomisers typically £3, which is about the same as the atomiser head for a Vivi-Nova V2.

 

[StoneyVap3r]

vaping definitely has a higher upfront starting cost. I spent about 130 dollars getting a good tank and mod, some extra coils, and another 120 ish in juice. I am now two weeks in, and spent 250 dollars. Which sounds like alot. But now consider the fact that in 2 weeks, I would normally have spent about 200 dollars in cigs. I spent 250 and i have enough juic to laste me at least a few weeks. My nicotine costs were cut in half this month, and that is including the mod and battery. Once I figure out my flavor preference, ill only be spending 80 bucks a month, tops, to feed my nicotine crave, compared to 100 a week on cigs. Even splurging a tad, Long term, you will save money vaping in my experience.

 

[NickSteel]

The very cheapest adequate rig I've seen is:

MVP2 about $35 (on sale)
Kanger Aerotank v1 $15 (on sale)
Single coils ($40 for 50 on Ebay)
Mt Baker liquid (about $40 / 236ml when on sale)

That is about the best I can come up with for adequate gear and liquids. About the cost of two cartons of cigarettes.

 

[zentrucker]

Doesn't really matter to me, I feel a hundred percent better. My cloths, hair, car, etc are w/o that rank smoke smell. I can taste food better and don't eat as much, can stay active and sleep better.

The money is a minor issue for me.

 

[jstraw20]

Once you're past the start-up costs of buy a rig, sure it's cheaper. Last month I spent a whopping $42. Love it!

 

[ian-field]

Once you're past the start-up costs of buy a rig, sure it's cheaper. Last month I spent a whopping $42. Love it!

In the UK it can be about the equivalent of buying smuggled tobacco from a car boot sale instead of duty paid product from the shop.

 

[aznnp77]

Yes, it is cheaper than smoking, but not initially. It also depends on how much you spend for juice a month.

I smoked about a half pack a day, and almost a full pack on the weekends. I would smoke 2 cartons a month, or one every 2 weeks. In Virginia, 2 cartons costs about $93.

In 3 months so far I've spent about $600. Honestly, I'm not sure where it all went because all I have is an 2 ego batteries and an MVP and 5 protanks. After the initial investment though, you're only really spending money on juice and coils if you don't rebuild. If I didn't rebuild, I would probably use 3 coils a week ($3), and if I stuck to one juice I would use a full 30ML bottle. So $12 in coils and 120ML of juic probably costs me around $36, so let's just say 50 bucks a month compared to almost $100.

I wasn't as bad as some people, but I'll probably still end up saving money after a year. I buy stuff as a hobby now too, so I don't really mind spending $20 here and there.

If you buy them a pack at a time and live somewhere like New York you probably spend a paycheck a month on cigarettes though.

 

[UrKungFuNoGood]

Barely more than 100 dollars on vaping since quitting almost three months ago... You must be buying some really expensive stuff.
I have bought two ego style kits 32 dollars
one more battery: 11
One C5 clearo: 6
six bottles of juice: finally finding ONE that I can all day vape if I had to. that was about 32 since the new shop I go to gives me 4 for 20 on regular juice
One bottle of some really good vanilla 10 dollars for a 30 ml glass bottle/dropper!
A new clearo with a replaceable atomizer 8 dollars
a replacement for the new clearo 4

I estimate now that the initial battle of finding the set up that's right for me is over, I will spend about 4 a month on replacement atomizers, about 11 every six weeks or so on a battery and about ten to fifteen a month on juice. That is WAY below 200 a month on smokes!

 

[equanim1ty]

I started vaping to get off poison sticks, but soon it became a passion. I spent more on buying new rigs, mods , RDAs, liquids than I do on analogs. But I'm still happy its more than an year I'm out of cigarettes

 

[Maurice Pudlo]

I've spent around $500 on mods and atties, about the same on juice and DIY supplies, and less than $100 on consumables like wire and wick materials.

I'm sitting on 4 months worth of juice now, with supplies enough to carry me through next year even if I buy nothing else at all. So at this point I'm about even. But over the next year I expect the savings to really pile up.

My vaping budget now is based on the current price of one carton of smokes per week. That's what I spend from, nothing more. If you set a budget it will help you make better decisions on purchases.

Maurice

 

[ian-field]

Yes, it is cheaper than smoking, but not initially. It also depends on how much you spend for juice a month.

I smoked about a half pack a day, and almost a full pack on the weekends. I would smoke 2 cartons a month, or one every 2 weeks. In Virginia, 2 cartons costs about $93.

In 3 months so far I've spent about $600. Honestly, I'm not sure where it all went because all I have is an 2 ego batteries and an MVP and 5 protanks. After the initial investment though, you're only really spending money on juice and coils if you don't rebuild. If I didn't rebuild, I would probably use 3 coils a week ($3), and if I stuck to one juice I would use a full 30ML bottle. So $12 in coils and 120ML of juic probably costs me around $36, so let's just say 50 bucks a month compared to almost $100.

I wasn't as bad as some people, but I'll probably still end up saving money after a year. I buy stuff as a hobby now too, so I don't really mind spending $20 here and there.

If you buy them a pack at a time and live somewhere like New York you probably spend a paycheck a month on cigarettes though.

A 50g pouch of tobacco only lasted me a couple of days, so it was seriously expensive.

The most reasonable liquid supplier I've found so far is premiere-cigs.co.uk at £5 for 30ml of Hangsen and free P&P over £25.

It can probably be found cheaper - but I've experienced worthless liquid before!

 

[ian-field]

I've spent around $500 on mods and atties, about the same on juice and DIY supplies, and less than $100 on consumables like wire and wick materials.

I'm sitting on 4 months worth of juice now, with supplies enough to carry me through next year even if I buy nothing else at all. So at this point I'm about even. But over the next year I expect the savings to really pile up.

My vaping budget now is based on the current price of one carton of smokes per week. That's what I spend from, nothing more. If you set a budget it will help you make better decisions on purchases.

Maurice

Any suggestions for decent (honest) wire retailers in the UK?

When I bought 100m of 0.17mm wire (same as in the Vivi-Nova V2 head I stripped down) - the retailer didn't bother to mention that his wire was much higher resistivity.

A sensible resistance value means only 2 or 3 turns on the wick (pretty much no contact surface area) - the only way I can use it, is twist 2 (or more) strands together!

 

[Wow1420]

The very cheapest adequate rig I've seen is:

MVP2 about $35 (on sale)
Kanger Aerotank v1 $15 (on sale)
Single coils ($40 for 50 on Ebay)
Mt Baker liquid (about $40 / 236ml when on sale)

That is about the best I can come up with for adequate gear and liquids. About the cost of two cartons of cigarettes.

Excellent suggestion there for a low cost, low fuss setup. Of course I'd recommend a second setup of some type as a backup.

I went overboard on trying different gear, but now that I've settled down with what I like, ongoing costs should be very, very low. I'm not particularly skilled at DIY mixing, but I've settled on a couple of recipes that are good enough. I figured my DIY liquid cost at 6 cents a mil several months ago, and it's probably even lower now with bulk buys of nic, VG and PG and the one main flavor I like.

 

[Oldmerc]

Any suggestions for decent (honest) wire retailers in the UK?

When I bought 100m of 0.17mm wire (same as in the Vivi-Nova V2 head I stripped down) - the retailer didn't bother to mention that his wire was much higher resistivity.

A sensible resistance value means only 2 or 3 turns on the wick (pretty much no contact surface area) - the only way I can use it, is twist 2 (or more) strands together!

Vape Mesh Company in UK would be my recommendation..excellent prices and good service.

 

[Pepperty]

I have to say, even with massive addiction to shiny new vape gear, I'm still saving lots. Compared to smoking - vaping is cheap!

 

[Rondo9]

It is cheaper IF you don't like visit the vaping store or buy from online like every week. Buying eliquid on weekly basis (but also smoked that many cigs before) than your still saving, but if your buying new toys/changing devices frequently then you got another addictive issue lol

My friend has this problem like my cousin who needs to buy a new shoe or bag almost once a week. I'm sure the ecig stores/manufacturers are loving him though

 

[Steamix]

Well, if you decide to go shopping like that...

Diamond covered e-cigarette created for Russian oligarch's girlfriend | Mail Online

then maybe your financially even a week past doomsday or so

OTOH, rebuildables, DIY and you're looking at pennies instead of dollars.

Installing some fancy software that prevents your mouse pointer from clicking on 'Buy Now' or 'Put into cart' buttons helps a lot too

 

[NickSteel]

There are lots of e-liquid sellers in the US with inexpensive liquid in larger bottles, like 236ml, etc., especially when on sale.

Of course vaping is cheaper than smoking if you simply vape to avoid tobacco. If you "require" expensive gear and "premium" e-liquid, that's another matter. As I remember, twenty months ago, Marlboro's all tasted about the same and not all that good. I can certainly "get by" with inexpensive gear and e-liquids for less than $20/month.

 

[Scarab]

A 2 pack a day habit runs $14 per day, or $140 every 10 days. Even if one is smoking a $7 pack a day, it's $70 burned up in 10 days. That more than covers the initial cost of a basic starter kit like a single coil EVOD at $35, and a $5 bottle of juice. Even if one goes through 2 bottles in that same time frame, they're saving money.

 

[ian-field]

Vape Mesh Company in UK would be my recommendation..excellent prices and good service.

The Mesh Company is who sold me the high resistivity wire without bothering to mention it was useless for atomiser heads.