E-cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, have become increasingly popular throughout the UK, especially among people trying to give up smoking. They’re seen as a better choice than traditional cigarettes since users inhale nicotine vapour rather than smoke, but they’re definitely not for non-smokers, and selling them to under-18s is against the law.
A significant change is looming – Scotland has pushed back the ban on disposable vapes to line up with the UK government, starting June 1, 2025. In light of the impending ban, many people might be thinking about kicking the vaping habit. Jess Baker Smith, a TikTok content creator and Social Media Strategist, found her quitting incentive in the hefty expense linked with vaping.
In a recent online post shared with her boyfriend Harry, she disclosed the eye-watering sum she’s poured into vapes over a year and a half. She first guessed a spend of around £5,000, however, her actual expenditure was even higher.
She explained her spending with precise details: “So, hear me out. One vape is £5 and I’ve been smoking two a day, which is £10 a day, seven days a week, which is £70 a week. Times four, because there’s four weeks in a month, which is £280. £280 times 12, because there’s 12 months in a year is £3,360, right, but it’s a year and a half, so add £1,680, that’s five grand.”
Harry reacted with sheer disbelief, remarking, “That’s a holiday to the Maldives, do you know what I mean? And you’ve been puffing on those little plastic things.”
On a positive note, Jess, who has successfully kicked her vaping habit, excitedly shared: “But in a year and a half we’ll be five grand richer,” to which Harry replied with equal enthusiasm: “Yeah, Maldives coming next year.”
Some eagle-eyed commenters were quick to highlight what appeared to be a slight oversight in Jess’s calculations. One individual noted: “It’s actually more! Some months are 4.5 weeks, if you x your £70 by 52 for the whole year.”
Another commenter suggested a straightforward way to work it out: “Easier to do it by weeks, £70 per week x 52 weeks, x 1.5 = £5,460.” Confronted with the realisation of how much she was spending, Jess simply said: “Omg. It’s actually just awful.”
Celebrating a month free from vaping, Jess updated her TikTok followers that quitting has been the “best thing” she’s ever done. She reported noticeable improvements including better skin, improved sleep quality, and a general boost in mood.
The NHS acknowledges that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking, but the long-term effects remain uncertain due to the relative newness of the trend. Nonetheless, vaping isn’t risk-free; nicotine is still addictive, and one disposable vape can contain as much nicotine as 20 cigarettes.
When it comes to the financial side of things, disposable vapes, usually priced around £5, may appear cheaper than refillable options at first glance. These are not impacted by the ban and often cost between £8-12, and are available from non-specialist retailers.
Vaping is only recommended to adult smokers as a way to quit smoking. You can read more about it on the NHS website.