According to a new study by the American Cancer Society, conventional cigarettes cost less than e-cigarettes in equivalent quantities in a sample of 44 of 45 countries selected worldwide. This study, which is included in the tobacco control, was able to conclude that a gap exists despite the fact that e-cigarettes are not subject to excise taxes comparable to tobacco.
But beware, if e-cigarettes currently have an advantage over conventional cigarettes which are heavily taxed, some scientists and media have repeatedly demanded that this change. However, these claims do not appear to be based on empirical price data. According to the researchers, the omnipresence of these claims could push some decision-makers to consider imposing taxes on electronic cigarettes without taking certain specific information into account.
The researchers in this study led by Alex Liber de the American Cancer Society and the University of Michigan School of Public Health compared the cost of conventional cigarettes to that of two major types of electronic cigarettes: Disposable (non-refillable) e-cigarettes and refillable electronic cigarettes that can be refilled with e-liquids.
The study found that on average, the price of a pack of classic cigarettes ($ 5,00) cost a little more than half the price of a disposable e-cigarette ($ 8,50). It was also found that, although 
that nicotine e-liquids used to refill e-cigarettes can cost a few dollars less than a pack of regular cigarettes, the minimum price to purchase a refillable electronic cigarette kit to use this e-liquid is greater than 20 $. As for the e-cigarettes refills preferred by a large part of the vapers, their price is even more important.
The authors note that there is considerable debate in the public health and media community about e-cigarettes. While some believe e-cigarettes play a potential role in helping smokers quit smoking, others point to strong concerns about the youth bridging effect, the lack of information on the dangers. potential, lack of product regulation as well as industry business practices.
Among those who believe that e-cigarettes may reduce the number of tobacco-related deaths and illnesses, some argue that the price differences between conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes could help current smokers to become vapers. This document establishes, among other things, that a price difference between tobacco and e-cigarettes already exists, but that currently the e-cigarette is the most expensive product.
The authors of the study reinforce the importance of increasing the price of cigarettes through excise taxes but also suggest that the way to tax electronic cigarettes is complex. Some jurisdictions around the world, notably in the United Kingdom, have already achieved equality between the prices of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. It now remains to be seen if and how this policy changes the use of these two products in the UK as well as the rest of the world.
Note that the opinions expressed in this study are not official policy positions of the American Cancer Society.
Source : eurekalert.org
Liber AC, Drope JM, Stoklosa M. “Combustible Cigarettes Cost Less to Use than E-Cigarettes: Global Evidence and Tax Policy Implications”. Tob Control. ePub 28 Mar 2016. doi: 0.1136 / tobaccocontrol-2015-052874.
Study authorized by Alex C Liber (American Cancer Society and the University of the Michigan School of Public Health) Jeffrey M Drope and Michal Stoklosa (American Cancer Society)
