E-Liquid Nicotine Strength Guide
What Is Nicotine?
Nicotine is a type of stimulant that is commonly found in tobacco. However, in recent times, certain products have been developed that offer nicotine without the need for tobacco*. These products include e-liquids, which are used for vaping purposes. E-liquids are heated through a battery-powered device until they turn into vapour. This vapour can then be inhaled through a mouthpiece by the user.
Nicotine Strengths Explained
E-liquids indicate nicotine strengths in milligrams per millilitre (mg/mL) or as a percentage (%). The strength of e-liquids usually ranges from 0mg (nicotine-free) up to 20mg, which is the maximum strength allowed for e-liquids in the UK.
It is important to select a nicotine strength that aligns with your preferences. For example, if you are a heavy smoker, you may need a higher nicotine strength, while if you are a light smoker or have quit smoking, a lower strength may be more suitable.
Read More: UK Vaping Laws & Regulations
Percentage vs mg/mL
Nicotine strength is expressed in an e-liquid in one of two ways:
- Milligrams per millilitre (mg/mL)
- Percentage (%)
When expressed as mg/mL, it indicates the amount of nicotine in milligrams in one millilitre of the e-liquid. For example, a 2mg/mL e-liquid contains 2 milligrams of nicotine in each millilitre of liquid.
When expressed as a percentage (%), it represents the proportion of nicotine in the entire volume of the e-liquid. So, a 0.2% nicotine strength is equivalent to 3mg/mL because it means 0.2% (or 2 milligrams) of nicotine per 1000 milligrams (or 1 millilitre) of liquid.
Essentially, a nicotine strength of 0.2% is equivalent to 2mg/mL, as it implies that there are 3mg of nicotine in every millilitre of the e-liquid.
Nicotine Salts vs Freebase Nicotine
Two types of nicotine are commonly used in e-liquids: nicotine salts and regular (freebase) nicotine. If you use regular nicotine at higher levels, it can cause a harsh feeling in the throat. In contrast, nicotine salts can be used at higher nicotine strengths without compromising the flavour or causing a harsh throat hit.
What Nicotine Strength is Right for You?
Determining the right nicotine strength is a personal decision that only you can make. Ultimately, it comes down to matching your current nicotine intake to the appropriate strength e-liquid. For example, heavy smokers looking to switch may find higher nicotine strengths more suitable, while light or casual nicotine users are likely better suited to lower nicotine strengths. If you're unsure, starting with a strength and gradually adjusting up or down will help you find the most suitable strength.
Read More: Does Vaping Help You Quit Smoking?
| Nicotine Strength: | Suitable for: |
| 20mg | Heavy smokers (more than a pack daily) of JPS Real Blue, Pall Mall Red, Superking Blue, Marlborough Red or Mayfair cigarettes looking for higher strength nicotine than 18mg. |
| 18mg | Smokers of JPS Real Blue, Pall Mall Red, Superking Blue, Marlborough Red or Mayfair cigarettes. |
| 12mg | Light to medium smokers of medium-strength cigarettes, including Marlborough Light, Silk Cut, Pall Mall Blue or B&H. This strength can be a good match for those used to consuming rolling tobacco. |
| 10mg | Light to medium smokers of medium to light cigarettes or heavier smokers looking to reduce nicotine consumption. |
| 6mg | Vapers who are looking to reduce nicotine consumption. Light or social smokers may find 6mg suitable to comfortably switch to vaping. |
| 3mg | Current vapers who want to consume very light nicotine levels. |
| 0mg | Those looking to cut out nicotine who may find continuing habits around vaping help with the process. |
Factors Impacting Strength
Choosing the right strength is a balancing act which depends largely on the individual. However, there are a few things to considers when it comes to choosing the correct nicotine strength.
1. Type of Device
It's all to do with difference in vapour production and how the device heats the e-liquid. High-powered devices such as sub-ohm tanks product a lot more vapor than smaller, compact pod systems and e-cigarettes such as the Vuse Pro. This disperses the nicotine and results in a less concentrated delivery per puff. It's common then, depending on the user, for these devices to be used with higher nicotine strengths. At the same time, pod-based devices and cig-a-likes utilise nicotine salts, which allow for higher nicotine strengths while minimising discomfort.
Read More: What Are The Different Types of Vapes?
2. MTL or DTL
MTL vaping (mouth-to-lung), which is a similar technique to smoking a cigarette, draws vapour into your mouth first before inhaling it into your lungs. This technique is commonly paired with compact e-cigarettes, and delivers more concentrated nicotine vs DTL (direct-to-lung) and less vapour. For this reason, MTL vaping can be suitable at higher nicotine strengths, although again this depends on the individual. By contrast, lower nicotine strengths are best-suited for DTL vaping due to the amount of vapour that is inhaled directly into the lungs.
3. Usage Frequency
It goes without saying that how much you vape will directly impact nicotine strength. Frequent sessions may require lower concentrations to avoid excessive nicotine intake, infrequent users may opt for higher nicotine strengths. Again, it depends largely on individual tolerance and preferences.
4. Individual Tolerance
Nicotine tolerance varies from person to person. New users, for example, should begin with lower strengths and gradually increasing the strength to find one they're comfortable with. Similarly, regular users or heavy smokers may need higher strengths due to a higher nicotine threshold.
Nicotine-Free Vapes
Nicotine-free vapes such as the Vuse GO Max are suitable for those who want to vape without nicotine. The e-liquids in these devices contain 0mg nicotine and are suitable for users who are looking to reduce their nicotine consumption or just prefer to vape without nicotine.
* These products are not risk-free and contain nicotine, an addictive substance.
