From the usage cost, the initial purchase price of shisha vape (water pipe e-cigarette) is approximately 25-50 (includes equipment and cartridges), the volume per cartridge is 10mL (can hold 800-1,200 pups), and the price per pup is 0.02-0.03. In the disposable e-cigarettes (e.g., Puff Bar), the volume is 2mL (approximately 300 pups), price per unit is 8, and the price per pup is 0.027. But the replacement core of shisha vape should be replaced in turn (every 3 weeks/3), and the average annual cost for continuous use is 120, which is less than that of disposable e-cigarettes (annual consumption of 36 pieces/$288). The 2023 “Vaping Economics Report” showed that if users consume 15 disposable cigarettes a month, changing to shisha vape will save 68% of the cost.
In power range of taste and smoke quantity, the shisha vape power range is 10-50W (disposable cigarette usually 6-12W), the smoke density is increased by 3.2 times (measured particle count 2.1×10⁶/cm³ vs 6.5×10⁵/cm³), and free adjustment of nicotine concentration (0-20mg/mL) is provided. 70% of users of shisha vape opine, through a user survey in Dubai, that the layering of its fruit blend flavors (blueberry and mint) is better than the single flavor of disposable cigarettes (satisfaction rate 8.7/10 vs 6.2/10). However, in the high-power mode (> 30W), the consumption rate of e-liquid increases to 0.05mL/ mouth (0.01mL/ mouth in normal mode), and the lifespan of an individual e-cartridge drops to 400 mouths.
For health hazard, atomization temperature of shisha vape (200-250°C) is higher than that of disposable cigarettes (150-180°C), yielding a level of formaldehyde as 0.18μg/ mouth from propylene glycol cracking (0.09μg/ mouth in disposable cigarettes). A 2024 American Lung Association report pointed out that such users of shisha vape, if they used it for prolonged periods of time, had a 29% higher level of respiratory tract inflammation markers (IL-6) than one-time cigarette consumers, but a 37% lower intake of nicotine (due to less frequent use per puff). If nicotine-free e-liquid is chosen, the health risk can be decreased by 42% (Source: Johns Hopkins University).
Portability and maintenance expenses are the primary drawbacks. The average weight of the shisha vape device is 280g (28g for disposable cigarettes), with sizes of 16×5cm (10×2cm for disposable cigarettes), and a daily charging requirement (with a battery capacity of 2000mAh and a battery life of 12 hours). A survey of Reddit users (sample size 5,000) reveals that 47% of portables users revert to disposable cigarettes because of the hassle of carrying them, but 33% of stay-at-home users find that the ceremony feeling of shisha vape (e.g., LED lighting effects and adjustable airflow) enhances experience satisfaction to 8.9/10.
Market regulations and trends show that only 35% of shisha vape is TPD-compliant (since cigarette cartridge size has surpassed 2mL capacity), while disposable cigarette compliance is at 89%. Out of illegal e-cigarettes discovered in the UK in 2023, 62% consisted of shisha vape altered devices with an integrated 6mL cigarette compartment. But the Middle Eastern market grew in the opposite way. In 2024, Dubai sales of shisha vape increased by 210% year over year, due to popularity of the combination of ancient hookahs with new technology among the local population.
The conclusion states that if customers require long-term cost economies, rich flavor and accept maintenance of equipment, shisha vape is an excellent alternative. But if portability, convenient for use and disposability, and low regulatory exposure are paramount, then disposable cigarettes win. According to Nielsen consumer insight, the underlying pain issue for converters is giving up a mean annual savings of $168 in favor of health, and decisions need to be made in combination with usage scenarios.