When considering which vape device to use, cost is a significant factor to keep in mind. Although rechargeable open system devices require a higher upfront cost, opting for a system with longer-lasting components can provide long-term savings. However, it is essential to critically evaluate the other factors that can affect the choice of a vape device, such as convenience, portability, and customization options.

An open pod system or pod mod system can be a cost-effective option, as it offers the convenience of a disposable pod system while allowing the use of e-liquids. This approach can save costs, especially after the introduction of the federal excise tax on vaping products in Canada, which adds an additional tax to any product that contains e-liquid (with or without nicotine). While products with up to 10 mL of e-liquid are charged $1 for every 2 mL of e-liquid, additional volumes of 10 mL are taxed at only $1 each. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the costs and benefits of using e-liquids in pod systems and tanks, taking into account the added tax and other relevant factors.

Additionally, vape shop owners should evaluate the impact of the federal excise tax on their profit margins, pricing strategies, and customer preferences. Therefore, it is crucial to consider all relevant factors and conduct careful research before making a decision on which products to stock in your store.

How Much Money Can You Save Using an Open Pod System Compared to Cigarettes?

The average price of a pack of 20 cigarettes in Canada varies from one province to the next. Based on numbers sourced by Statista, Quebec had the lowest average cost with a pack of cigarettes costing $10.65, while Newfoundland had the highest average cost at $15.71. Using each province’s average, the overall average cost of a pack of cigarettes across Canada comes to $14.09. For our purposes, we’ll make things easy and call it an even $14 per pack of 20 cigarettes.  

So, someone who smokes a pack a day will spend around $14 a day on cigarettes. That cost adds up to $98 a week, $420 a month, or a whopping $5,110 a year! Even if you were to smoke only half a pack a day that’s still over $200 a month and $2,600 a year. 

Alternatively, you could use an open-pod vape system for just $1,750 a year. Taking the average weekly cost of e-liquid, $25 for a 30 mL bottle per week, and replacement pods, a pack of 4 costs on average $16 for an individual cost of $4 per pod with an average use of 2 pods per week for a weekly total of $8, you would only spend $33 a week, just $4.71 a day, after the upfront cost of the vape device itself, around $30. This means that you could save between $850 and $3,360 a year by switching from cigarettes to a refillable, open-pod vape system.

How Much Money Can You Save Using an Open Pod System Compared to Disposable Vapes?

Even among other types of vape products, an open pod system still offers the best value. Compared to the cost of disposable vape use, an open pod system could save you $850 a year. 

For our purposes, we’ll say that a 3,000-puff disposable vape with 6 mL of e-liquid lasts for an average of 3 days at a cost of $18, which comes out to a daily cost of $6. That’s roughly $2 more than an open pod system every single day. Adding it up, disposable vapes cost $42 a week, $180 a month, and $2,190 a year.