Smoking and vaping differ in both exposure and cost, but neither side of the comparison can be reduced to one dramatic number. Smoking burns tobacco; vaping does not. Spending depends on personal use, the device, consumables and Ireland’s current e-liquid tax.
Quick answer: The HSE says vaping may be less harmful than cigarettes but is not harm-free. A refillable setup may cost less than repeated cigarette purchases for some adults, but the only honest calculation uses your own weekly figures.
Health: What Changes and What Does Not
Vaping removes tobacco combustion from the process, so it does not create cigarette smoke, tar or carbon monoxide in the same way. Nicotine remains addictive, aerosol is still inhaled and long-term effects continue to be studied. Anyone who does not smoke should not start vaping.
Cost: Use the Full Weekly Figure
Add the device, e-liquid, replacement pods or coils and any accessories. E-Liquid Products Tax has applied since 1 November 2025 at €0.50 per millilitre, so an old pre-tax price comparison is no longer useful. Compare that complete weekly figure with your real cigarette spend, then multiply the difference by 52.
Switching Completely Matters
Continuing to smoke while also vaping can keep both costs and exposures in the picture. If the aim is to stop smoking, use HSE support and licensed treatments through a stop-smoking adviser, GP or pharmacist.
Browse refillable pod kits · Browse e-liquid · Read Revenue’s EPT guidance
Responsible-use note: Vaping and nicotine products are for adults aged 18 and over. Nicotine is addictive. Vaping is not harm-free, and people who do not smoke or use nicotine should not start.
For quitting support, the HSE recommends speaking with a stop-smoking adviser, GP or pharmacist and using licensed stop-smoking medicines. Read the HSE guidance on vaping and nicotine.
The Bottom Line
Vaping and smoking are not equally harmful activities, but “less harmful” is not “harmless”. Savings are possible for some adults; a guaranteed figure is not.
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