From April 2026, Japan is scheduled to implement tax increases on heated tobacco products (such as IQOS).

Partly due to this, an increasing number of people are gradually switching from electronic cigarettes to vapes, which are cheaper.

However,

• Will it really be cheaper?
• How's the smoking sensation?
• Are there any inconveniences?

Many people must be wondering.

Therefore, we interviewed Mr. A, who actually switched from IQOS and conventional cigarettes to vape!

We will introduce the real costs, benefits, and drawbacks from a user's perspective.

 

Mr. A's Profile

Here is the basic information about Mr. A, who we interviewed this time.

Age: Male, 30s

Vaping experience: About 2 months

What he used to smoke:

• Conventional cigarettes
• Heated tobacco (IQOS)

He said he used to smoke conventional cigarettes outdoors and IQOS indoors.

Daily smoking volume:

• IQOS: 1 pack per day
• Conventional cigarettes: Less than 10 sticks

Mr. A had a smoking style that leaned towards heavy use.

【Cost Comparison】Saving 15,000 yen per month by switching from tobacco to vape

The most concerning issue is, of course, money. We asked Mr. A how much it actually changed.

 

How much did you spend on tobacco per month when you used conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes?

Mr. A: Approximately 25,000 yen (IQOS + conventional cigarettes).

How much do you spend on vape per month after switching to vape?

Mr. A: "It became about 10,000 yen per month. Specifically, the device itself is about 2,000 yen, and pod usage is about 5 boxes, so it's less than 10,000 yen per month."

 

The actual savings dramatically reduced from 25,000 yen to 10,000 yen.

This is a saving of approximately 15,000 yen per month. Annually, this amounts to approximately 180,000 yen in savings. This is a very significant difference.

We also asked if there were any benefits besides cost.

 

Have you felt any benefits since switching to vape?

Mr. A: "The benefit is that there are many flavors, so I don't get bored. Also, it saves time, and the smell is not bothersome."

 

Benefit ①: Abundant flavor options

Vapes include:

• Fruit
• Mint, menthol
• Drink, dessert

etc. The characteristic of vapes is that they have a rich variety of flavors.

For example, "DRAGBAR ICZ MAX PREFILLED POD", popular at Puffing Kiwi, comes in a whopping 18 flavors! In addition to classic grape and watermelon, there are also stylish and rare flavors like apple tea.

 

Benefit ②: Time-saving

This benefit is surprisingly significant. Mr. A also feels that he has saved a lot of time by not having to frequently go to convenience stores to buy cigarettes or go to smoking areas.

In a tobacco-smoking lifestyle, you spend a surprising amount of time going to convenience stores to buy cigarettes, looking for smoking areas, or going outside because you're worried about the smell.

With vapes, you can order and stock up at home, which also saves time.

Benefit ③: No bothersome odor

"About a month after switching to vape, the smell of other people's cigarettes started to bother me," said Mr. A.

Vapes produce vapor, not smoke, so the smell is less likely to cling to clothes and linger in rooms.

Depending on the flavor, fruity or sweet scents may temporarily drift, but since this is water vapor, it only lasts a short time. Therefore, it is less likely to bother others, and it is easy to use safely indoors.

 

We've heard about the benefits of vape so far, but of course, there are also disadvantages.

 

What are the disadvantages of vape?

Mr. A: "It takes about a week for orders to arrive, so I need to manage my pod inventory. Also, there are still few places to buy vapes in Japan."

Currently, there are still few websites in Japan that handle vapes. Therefore, you need to manage your stock, such as purchasing from an e-commerce site like Puffing Kiwi and placing additional orders before you run out.

 

Did you feel any discomfort when you first started using vape?

Mr. A: "Not particularly. There were no negative reactions from those around me. In fact, when I vape in front of friends, they're quite interested, so I want more smokers to know about it."

 

Do you ever feel like going back to conventional cigarettes or IQOS?

Mr. A: "I've never wanted to go back. Neither paper nor IQOS."

 

Are you concerned about the 2026 e-cigarette tax increase?

Mr. A: "Since I was able to switch to vape, I don't really think anything of it. In fact, they can raise it as much as they want (laughs)."

The tax reform scheduled for April 2026 includes a tax increase on heated tobacco products (such as IQOS), but it seems there will be no particular impact on those who have already switched from electronic cigarettes to vapes, like Mr. A.

We asked for a final message for those considering vape.

Mr. A: "Vape may not be very mainstream in Japan yet, but I want people to try it once, as if they're being tricked. I truly believe that switching to vape was a good decision, especially in terms of cost and time.

As taxes increase in the future, I think it's only a matter of time before it becomes popular."

 

Summary: Vape is recommended for those who want to save on costs

 

Here are the key takeaways from this experience.

Benefits of vape

✔ Potential to save over 15,000 yen per month
✔ Wide variety of flavors
✔ Odor does not linger
✔ No need to frequently go to convenience stores

Disadvantages

✔ Requires pod inventory management

 

With the tax increase in 2026, the cost of IQOS and heated tobacco products may further rise. Therefore, it is expected that more people will switch from electronic cigarettes to vapes in the future.

Puffing Kiwi also provides information on vapes, so if you're interested, check it out now!

 

■Puffing Kiwi Japan Online Site
https://puffingkiwijapan.shop/

■Official Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/puffingkiwi.jp/

■Official LINE Account
https://line.me/R/ti/p/@661nmqii
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Plus, get a 10% OFF coupon when you refer a friend!

 

*We do not sell to individuals under 20 years of age.

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