How Much Does Vaping Cost Per Month In Ireland Compared To Smoking
For many people in Ireland, the decision to switch from smoking to vaping starts with health. Very quickly though, the cost question follows. Cigarettes are expensive here, and prices rarely move in a friendly direction. Vaping is often described as cheaper, but how true is that in real monthly terms. Not headline figures, not best case scenarios, but what people actually spend over time. Let’s break it down properly and look at what smoking and vaping really cost the average person in Ireland each month.
The Current Cost Of Smoking In Ireland
Ireland has some of the highest cigarette prices in Europe. As of now, a standard pack of twenty cigarettes costs roughly between fourteen and sixteen euro, depending on brand and retailer. That is not an occasional expense either. Most smokers buy daily or close to it.
If someone smokes one pack per day, which is very common, the maths is simple.
Fourteen euro per day multiplied by thirty days comes to around four hundred and twenty euro per month. At sixteen euro per pack, that number jumps closer to four hundred and eighty euro.
Many smokers go through more than a pack a day, especially during stressful periods or weekends. For heavier smokers, monthly costs can easily exceed five hundred euro without much effort. That figure does not include lighters, occasional extra packs, or the reality that cigarette prices tend to creep up year after year.
Roll Your Own Tobacco Costs In Ireland
Some smokers move to roll your own tobacco to cut costs. It does help, but not as much as people often think.
A typical pouch of rolling tobacco in Ireland costs between eighteen and twenty four euro. Depending on how it is rolled and how often someone smokes, a pouch might last anywhere from three days to a week.
Let’s assume a pouch lasts five days on average. That works out at six pouches per month. At twenty euro per pouch, that is one hundred and twenty euro per month. Add papers and filters, which usually add another ten to fifteen euro monthly.
So roll your own smoking often costs between one hundred and thirty and one hundred and forty euro per month. Cheaper than cigarettes, yes. Still not cheap, and still subject to price increases and tax changes.
The Initial Cost Of Vaping In Ireland
Vaping does have a startup cost, which is where some people hesitate. The first month is almost always the most expensive.
A basic beginner vape kit in Ireland typically costs between twenty and forty euro. Some people spend a bit more for a sturdier device, others less for simple pod systems.
Alongside the device, e liquid is the main recurring cost. A standard ten millilitre bottle of TPD compliant e liquid costs between four and six euro. How many bottles someone uses depends heavily on nicotine strength and usage habits.
In the first month, a typical new vaper might spend around fifty to seventy euro total, including the device and enough liquid to get started.
Monthly Vaping Costs After Setup
Once the device is purchased, monthly costs drop significantly.
Most regular vapers in Ireland spend between twenty and sixty euro per month on e liquid. Light users may spend closer to twenty euro, while heavier users might reach fifty or sixty euro.
Coils or pods also need replacing. A coil usually lasts one to two weeks, depending on usage and liquid type. Replacement coils typically cost between three and five euro each.
If someone replaces two coils per month at four euro each, that adds eight euro to the monthly total.
So for most vapers, ongoing monthly costs sit roughly between thirty and seventy euro.
Even at the higher end, that is still dramatically lower than smoking a pack a day.
Disposable Vapes And Monthly Costs
Disposable vapes have changed the cost conversation slightly. They are convenient, widely available, and often appealing to people switching from cigarettes.
In Ireland, disposable vapes typically cost between six and ten euro each. How long one lasts depends on puff count and how often it is used.
If someone uses one disposable every two days, that is fifteen disposables per month. At eight euro each, the monthly cost comes to around one hundred and twenty euro.
That is still cheaper than smoking cigarettes, but noticeably more expensive than refillable vaping systems. Disposables tend to sit somewhere between roll your own tobacco and refillable vaping in terms of monthly spend.
Comparing Monthly Costs Side By Side
To put everything in perspective, here is a realistic monthly comparison.
- A pack a day smoker spends between four hundred and five hundred euro per month.
- A roll your own smoker spends around one hundred and thirty to one hundred and fifty euro per month.
- A disposable vape user spends roughly ninety to one hundred and forty euro per month, depending on usage.
- A refillable vape user typically spends between thirty and seventy euro per month.
Over a year, the difference becomes hard to ignore. A cigarette smoker could spend well over five thousand euro annually, while a refillable vaper might spend under eight hundred euro.
Hidden Costs People Often Forget About
Smoking comes with indirect costs that people rarely factor in. Extra washing, air fresheners, damaged clothing, higher insurance premiums in some cases, and long term health related expenses all add up quietly in the background.
Vaping is not cost free either. Devices break, liquids spill, and curiosity sometimes leads to impulse purchases. Still, these costs tend to be occasional rather than constant.
Most long term vapers settle into a routine and stick to one or two favourite liquids and devices. Once that happens, spending becomes predictable and relatively low.
Does Nicotine Strength Affect Monthly Cost
Yes, quite a lot.
Higher nicotine strength often means less liquid consumption. Someone using nicotine salts at higher strengths may vape less overall, reducing monthly liquid costs.
Lower nicotine users often vape more frequently, which increases liquid consumption slightly. Even then, the cost difference is modest compared to smoking.
Finding the right nicotine strength early helps avoid unnecessary spending and makes the transition smoother.
Price Stability Over Time
Cigarette prices in Ireland almost always increase. Excise duty, tax changes, and public health policy all push prices upward.
Vape products are not immune to regulation, but price increases have been slower and less dramatic so far. Competition between online vape shops also helps keep prices relatively stable.
For people thinking long term, vaping offers more control over monthly spending than smoking does.
Is Vaping Always Cheaper For Everyone
Not automatically. People who constantly buy new devices, chase trends, or rely heavily on disposables can push costs higher than necessary.
However, even hobby style vaping rarely reaches the monthly cost of heavy cigarette smoking in Ireland. For most people who vape with intention rather than impulse, the savings are clear.
The Bigger Picture Beyond Money
While this article focuses on cost, money is only part of the story. Many people switch to vaping for health reasons, social reasons, or simply because they want to stop smelling like smoke.
The financial benefit often becomes a welcome bonus rather than the sole motivation. Still, when people realise how much they were spending on cigarettes, the savings can be genuinely eye opening.
Final Thoughts On Monthly Costs In Ireland
So how much does vaping cost per month in Ireland compared to smoking. For most people, far less. In many cases, dramatically less.
Smoking remains one of the most expensive daily habits in the country. Vaping, particularly with refillable devices, offers a far more affordable alternative for adults who already smoke.
The exact figures depend on habits, preferences, and self control, but the overall trend is clear. Month after month, vaping costs a fraction of what smoking does in Ireland.
For anyone considering the switch, understanding the real monthly numbers can make the decision feel a lot more grounded and a lot less daunting.