Smoking & Vaping Cost FAQs
How much does 20 a day cost?
At ~£16.50 a pack, about £6,000 a year · £60,000 a decade before duty rises, and tobacco duty climbs above inflation most years. Roughly 80% of each pack is tax.
Is vaping cheaper?
Dramatically: a refillable habit runs £8-£15/week (£400-£800/year) against £6,000 for a 20-a-day smoker. A complete switch typically frees £4,000-£5,500 a year. Disposables cost more and single-use vapes are banned from sale.
What would the money become if invested?
A 20-a-day habit redirected at 7% growth is roughly £85,000 in 10 years, £250,000 in 20, ~£600,000 over 30 · a self-funded pension. The calculator shows your exact habit's version of that number.
Does smoking cost more than the cigarettes?
Yes: life insurance premiums roughly double for smokers, dental costs rise, and car/home resale takes a hit. The pack is the visible cost · the loadings on everything else add thousands quietly.
Where is the free help?
NHS Stop Smoking services are free, and support plus medication or vaping roughly triples quit rates vs willpower alone. The NHS Quit Smoking app tracks the money you are saving in real time · pair it with a standing order into savings so the cash actually lands somewhere.
For informational purposes only · Prices: average pack ~£16.50 (varies by brand and duty changes) · Investment comparison assumes 7% nominal annual growth, monthly contributions · Free quitting support: NHS Stop Smoking services