{"id":31854,"date":"2026-10-09T15:32:18","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T14:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theelectroniccigarette.co.uk\/blog\/?p=31854"},"modified":"2026-10-09T15:59:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T14:59:06","slug":"is-vaping-still-cheaper-than-smoking-after-vpd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theelectroniccigarette.co.uk\/blog\/is-vaping-still-cheaper-than-smoking-after-vpd\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Vaping Still Cheaper Than Smoking After VPD?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Will Vaping be cheaper than smoking now VPD is here? It’s a valid concern, so we have done the hard work to try and answer that for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Vaping Remain Cheaper Than Smoking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes. Vaping remains significantly cheaper<\/strong> than smoking in the UK, even after Vaping Products Duty (VPD) comes into force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That doesn’t mean vaping will be unaffected, it will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of the 1st October 2026, Vaping Products Duty introduced a charge of \u00a32.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, or 22p per ml (\u00a32.64 with VAT added). However, tobacco duty is also increasing, adding further cost to cigarettes and other tobacco products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Importantly, the two products aren’t starting from anything like the same price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A smoker buying a \u00a317.80 packet of 20 cigarettes every day is already spending more than \u00a3500 a month. A vaper buying several 10ml bottles of e-liquid, or using a big puff kit, will still spend considerably less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And at The Electronic Cigarette Company, we’re going one step further.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Electronic Cigarette Company Price Freeze<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"price<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We’re currently freezing prices at pre-VPD levels<\/strong> on some of our most popular products, including ELFLIQ, ELUX Legend E-liquid and Hayati pods, meaning customers can continue buying these products at their existing prices for as long as stock allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Price Freeze<\/strong> can continue until no later than April 2027. After this, only tax stamped products may be sold, and costs may need to be reflected in pricing. It could end sooner<\/strong> if our pre-VPD stock runs out before then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, for customers shopping with us, the cost of vaping can remain lower<\/strong> than the VPD calculations shown below for the time being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Much Will Vaping Products Duty Add?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

HMRC has set VPD at \u00a32.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid (\u00a32.64 with VAT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thats:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liquid Amount<\/strong><\/td>VPD & VAT<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
2ml<\/td>\u00a30.53p<\/td><\/tr>
5ml<\/td>\u00a31.32<\/td><\/tr>
10ml<\/td>\u00a32.64<\/td><\/tr>
12ml<\/td>\u00a33.17<\/td><\/tr>
20ml<\/td>\u00a35.28<\/td><\/tr>
22ml<\/td>\u00a35.81<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The duty applies whether or not the liquid contains nicotine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Importantly, this is not a \u00a32.20 tax on every vape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A refillable vape kit sold without liquid will not be subject to VPD<\/strong>. The duty applies only to e-liquid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a particularly important point to remember when you’re comparing costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Much Does Smoking Cost in 2026?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 price information gives us a useful benchmark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ASH Scotland reported an average price of \u00a317.80 for a 20-pack of cigarettes<\/strong> in January 2026, with the most expensive brands costing around \u00a319.65 to \u00a320.05.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At \u00a317.80 a packet, smoking 20 cigarettes every day costs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n