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The Ultimate Guide To Nicotine Strengths

By / December 7th, 2023 / There are currently 0 comments

The expansive variety of vape kits, tanks and coils, pods and e-liquids can make the transition from smoking to vaping rather daunting and complex, as there is a wealth of new information to learn.

Knowing which nicotine strength to use is essential for a straightforward transition and an enjoyable experience.

By not finding a suitable nicotine strength, the switch from smoking can appear frustrating, and you may be tempted to revert. At SmokShop, we explain nicotine strengths and which strengths are best suited for you.

Man vaping while sat at a table

Table of contents

What is nicotine?

Derived from a tobacco plant, nicotine is a stimulant that helps speed up messages between the brain and body and is often found in tobacco-based products such as cigarettes and cigars.

Nicotine releases chemicals such as dopamine, which can make nicotine quite an addictive substance.

Vapes are not tobacco-based products; however, they still contain varied amounts of nicotine. E-liquids are available with various nicotine strengths, enabling you to choose your preferred strength to manage your craving effectively.

How much nicotine is in a cigarette?

On average, cigarettes contain about 12 mg of nicotine; however, this can range from anywhere between 8 mg and 20 mg. Although cigarettes contain different amounts of nicotine, your body obtains about 1 mg of nicotine from each cigarette.

Nicotine absorbed by your body travels straight to your brain through the bloodstream, releasing chemicals to stimulate your brain. If you smoke for a prolonged period, you may find you have a larger number of nicotine receptors.

How much e-liquid is equivalent to smoking?

Several factors need to be considered to find out the e-liquid equivalent of your nicotine intake when smoking. Your smoking habits, such as how many you smoke per day, your style of smoking and the strength of cigarettes, all have to be considered against your vaping style and your nicotine concentration.

Man producing a vapour cloud

Which nicotine strength is right for you?

As mentioned above, several factors should be considered when finding your preferred nicotine strength. The benefit of e-liquid is that you can change the nicotine strength with ease until you find the perfect one. There are various nicotine strength options to choose from, ranging from 0 mg to 20 mg, depending on your smoking habits and preferences.

  • 0 mg nicotine: Nicotine-free vapes are perfect for those who have a cigarette every so often when going out. If you are a social smoker and want to emulate the feel of smoking, vapes with 0 mg nicotine are the ideal choice. Nicotine-free vapes are a great option for people to practice tricks such as vapour rings in their spare time.
  • 3 mg nicotine: Unless diluted with 0 mg nicotine e-liquid, 3 mg is the lowest level of nicotine you can get in an e-liquid. This e-liquid strength is ideal for those who are smoking only a few cigarettes a day or for those taking the final step toward quitting smoking by reducing their nicotine intake. 3 mg nicotine e-liquid is a popular choice for sub-ohm vapers for its extensive cloud production and ability to provide a smooth and profound flavour.
  • 5 mg – 11 mg nicotine: E-liquids with nicotine strengths between 5 mg and 11 mg are best suited for light smokers, who tend to smoke around 10 cigarettes a day. Nicotine strengths in this range will provide a light nicotine buzz that is more noticeable than 3 mg nicotine; however, not as harsh as strengths between 12 and 17 mg. Depending on the strength of the cigarettes you smoke, you may find that 3 mg of nicotine is better suited to your taste than nicotine strengths between 5 and 11 mg.
  • 12 mg – 17 mg nicotine: Any e-liquid that has a nicotine strength between 12 and 17 mg is ideal for those who smoke up to one pack of cigarettes per day. E-liquids with these nicotine strengths are often seen as a good place for smokers to start vaping, as they can help ward off any nicotine cravings.
  • 18 mg – 20 mg nicotine: The highest strengths available, these are best suited for those who are heavy smokers that usually get through more than a pack of cigarettes a day. E-liquids with high nicotine strengths are perfect for frequent smokers as they provide a throat hit similar to cigarettes. If you find the high-nicotine e-liquids harsh on your throat, 20 mg nicotine salts are an ideal alternative for a smoother throat hit.
Person holding e-liquids

Useful tips for vapers

Now you know the difference between each nicotine strength and which one is best suited to you, we offer you some extra tips you may find useful when switching to vaping.

  1. If you are a heavy smoker, it is recommended to start with a high nicotine strength before reducing gradually.
  2. For those reducing their nicotine strength but still attached to a harsh throat hit, opting for a 50:50 VG/PG ratio will help solve this problem. The more PG in your e-liquid, the more it will feel like smoking a cigarette.
  3. It may be worth starting with a slightly lower nicotine strength to avoid a bad first vaping experience. If it doesn’t feel right, you can change your nicotine strength until you find your preference.

Nicotine bases

There are three main nicotine bases in e-liquids: Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycol (VG) and 50VG/50PG.

PG nicotine bases often carry more flavour than VG bases and provide a harsher throat hit, making it ideal for those who smoke frequently.

VG nicotine bases are a great option for those who prefer a lenient throat hit and more vapour production. While VG bases carry some flavour, they are less flavourful than PG.

50VG/50PG nicotine bases are perfect for those who want a mixture of throat hit, flavour and vapour production.

Find all your nicotine essentials at SmokShop

Whether you are switching from smoking to vaping or have some experience, this guide will help you understand the different nicotine strengths and which one is best suited to you.

If you are unsure about a specific nicotine strength and would prefer to make your own e-liquid, why not get started by browsing our range of shortfills and nic shots?

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