How E-Cigs Can Save You Money
There are lots of reasons to choose electronic cigarettes, but one of the most attractive benefits is the amount of money you can save by making the switch. Only a few decades ago you could buy a pack of cigarettes for $2, but these days you can pay anywhere from $6 to $12, depending on the state. Do the math and a pack-a-day smoker can easily spend $250+ a month.
E-Cigarettes Tax Free (For Now)
The rising cost of cigarettes can be partially blamed on inflation and the rising cost of tobacco / fuel, but taxes are the biggest problem for smokers. For example, the federal tobacco tax was raised from $0.39 to $1.01 per pack in 2009, and state taxes make up nearly 20% of the total price.
For now, electronic cigarettes don’t bare many of the same burdens as the tobacco industry. E-cigarettes are not subject to federal or state taxes and the material costs are likely to do down, rather than up (think cell phones, DVDs, flat screen TVs, etc.) Currently, electronic cigarettes are much cheaper than tobacco cigarettes and they’re likely to remain that way for years to come.
Tobacco vs. Electronic Cigarettes
The math is pretty simple when you look at the numbers. Generally, one e-cigarette cartridge equates to one pack of cigarettes. What are you paying for a pack of cigarettes? Let’s assume it’s on the lower end at around $7.00 per pack. The average cost of an e-cig cartridge is only $2.50 – almost 1/3 the cost! Even after you factor in the cost of a starter kit (ranging from $40 to $60), the savings are substantial.
Our ‘Savings Calculator’ (to the left) will show you how much money you can save on cigarettes over 12 months. Even with the lowest cost tobacco cigarettes, you can easily save over $1200 each year by choosing electronic cigarettes. Keep in mind, you can get e-cig cartridges even cheaper if you buy them in bulk. Many companies provide 40, 60 or even 100 packs. Buy large quantities, and in most cases, you can get cartridges for less than $2.00 a piece.
More Ways You Can Reduce Costs
Probably the most cost-efficient way to take advantage of e-cigarettes is to buy flavors in liquid form. In some cases you can refill old cartridges or you can buy blanks designed specifically to be refilled and reused with liquid nicotine or ‘smoke juice.’ Each e-cig cartridge holds about 1ml of liquid which can be purchased in various bottle sizes – from 10ml to 100ml. With liquids, you can easily cut your e-cig costs in half, dropping from $2.00+ per cartridge to $1.00 or less. Not only do liquids save you money, but they provide you with more control over the performance of your e-cig.
Don’t forget the indirect savings!
Electronic cigarettes will help you save in a variety of indirect ways as well. Because there’s very little research about these new and exciting products, no one can say with certainty (yet) that e-cigarettes are 100% safe, but we can definitely say that they’re safer and healthier than tobacco cigarettes. Not only are you more likely to avoid expensive doctor’s visits, hospital stays and drug costs, but being healthier means your performance will improve as well. This results in less sick days at work, improved efficiency on the job and better overall well-being in all aspects of life.
It may seem inconsequential, but eliminating tobacco smoke will also reduce the need to regularly cover odors with perfume or cologne, you won’t need gum to constantly freshen your breath and you’ll eliminate the need for lighters and ash trays. These seemingly small expenses will add up over time and you’ll undoubtedly save thousands of dollars by making the switch to e-cigs.
