Choosing The Right Nicotine Strength: A Guide To Vape Liquid Strengths

One question that we consistently hear is ‘what nicotine strength should I vape?’. The article below aims to give you all the answers, including the different factors to consider when finding the right vape strength for you.

BUT FIRST...

Before we get started, we should note that nicotine levels in vapes can be displayed in two different ways – as a percentage, or in milligrams per millilitre (mg/ml).

These are just two different ways of telling you how much nicotine is within each millilitre (ml) of liquid. At blu®, we offer two strengths: 9mg/ml and 18mg/ml, which you may sometimes see written as 0.8% and 1.6%.

Don’t be thrown off if you see a percentage when you were expecting mg, or vice versa. Just remember, the higher the number or percentage, the more nicotine is in the liquid. This helps you find the right vape liquid strengths for you.

WHAT NICOTINE STRENGTH SHOULD I VAPE?

There are a few things to consider when selecting your vape nicotine level:

• Whether you’re a light, medium or heavy smoker
• The type of vape device you choose
• The content of your vape liquid
• Your vaping method.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU TYPICALLY SMOKE?

blu vapes are designed for people who already vape or smoke, so if you have smoked previously, think about how much you would smoke on a typical day. If you would describe yourself as a medium smoker, we would recommend trying our 9mg/ml or 0.8% strength e-liquid.

If you’re more of a heavy smoker, our 18mg/ml or 1.6% strength vape liquid will likely be the most appropriate. Remember though that if you smoke lights or ultra-lights, you may enjoy a lower strength e-liquid than you think! In this case, it may be worth trying the 0.8% strength and seeing whether you need to increase.

HOW MUCH NICOTINE IS IN A CIGARETTE?

It’s also important to know that e-liquids don’t automatically provide the same amount of nicotine as cigarettes. The average cigarette provides 10-12 mg of nicotine, but only some of this will be inhaled as you smoke.

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What type of vape device do you have?

Typical vaporisers have a medium to high resistance, measured in a unit called ohms. Because of this resistance, it takes them time to heat up and vaporise the e-liquid. This means that they are suited to all nicotine strengths, with higher percentages or mgs able to be inhaled comfortably.

blu PRO™ is one example of this type of vaporiser. Sub-ohm vape devices have a heating resistance of less than 1 ohm, meaning they heat up faster, vaporise more liquid, produce more intense flavours and generate thicker clouds of smoke.

Due to this, many smokers find they can reach their required nicotine level on a lower strength than expected, while higher nicotine levels are not recommended due to the intense vaping sensation.

What is the content of your vape liquid?

PG and VG

The ingredients of an e-liquid typically include Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerine (VG), flavourings, nicotine or nicotine salts, and sometimes water.

Vape liquids with significantly more PG than VG are known as High PG. High PG vape liquids typically produce a more intense sensation in the throat while vaping, so are better suited to lower nicotine strengths for maximum enjoyment.

Vape liquids with significantly more VG than PG are known as High VG, and are known for producing thicker clouds of smoke and offering a sweeter taste. Despite offering a smoother inhale, higher strengths may still offer a mild throat sensation.

Vape liquids with an equal amount of PG and VG are known as 50/50. A good all-rounder choice, 50/50 e-cigarette liquids are often preferred by people just starting out as a vaper, and are suitable for every strength of nicotine.

Read more: The Meaning of PG and VG: What Do They Stand For?

NICOTINE

Then, there’s the nicotine element of the liquid, which can either be in its freebase form, or conjugated as a nicotine salt.

The form of nicotine used in most e-liquids is known as ‘freebase’ nicotine. Freebase nicotine easily evaporates from e-cigarette aerosol when it is inhaled, resulting in the release of nicotine from the aerosol droplets in the mouth/upper respiratory tract, where it is slowly absorbed into the body. Freebase nicotine produces a throat sensation more typical to a traditional cigarette.

The reaction from introducing a special acidic compound to the freebase nicotine results in the creation of nicotine salts and their unique properties. Nicotine salts are less volatile than freebase nicotine, and remain in the inhaled e-cigarette aerosol until the aerosol reaches the lungs, where the nicotine is absorbed, and thus giving what most adult smokers would consider to be a smoother, more satisfying vaping experience.

Read more: Freebase vs Nic Salt: What’s the Difference?

Whatever your e-liquid preference, at blu® we create high quality liquids that are designed, tested and produced by Nerudia, the world’s largest integrated nicotine products and services company, alongside specialists at its quality control lab in Liverpool. See how our liquids are tested and produced here.

How do you vape?

There are two main methods of vaping: Mouth-to-lung (MTL) and Direct-to-lung (DTL). Some devices will allow for both MTL and DL, whereas some will specify which method of vaping they are designed for.

MTL is what most people do and is most similar to the traditional smoking experience; MTLers draw the vapour from their e-cigarette into their mouth, then inhale it back into their lungs.

Because the vapour is diluted when it hits the mouth, the MTL method allows you to comfortably enjoy high nicotine strength liquids.

The DTL method means that you ignore the mouth, taking a long draw and inhaling the vapour straight into your lungs. This method is much more intense, giving a more intense throat sensation and producing more vapour.

As a result, you likely would not want or need to use a high strength e-liquid as a DLer. Most people who DL use a very low strength of nicotine. Knowing this helps you find the right vape nicotine levels for you.

Find out more about how to inhale vapour here.

Find your perfect fit

Altering your nicotine strength is a natural part of vaping, and the strength you need may change over time. If you’re unsure where to start, try a lower strength liquid first and assess how you adjust to it. It’s important to focus on finding the perfect strength for you.

If you would like some help finding your right fit, please take a look at our blu 2.0 pods or blu™ e-liquids, or read our handy post ‘How to choose your next e-liquid’.