How Much Nicotine Is in a Vape? Nicotine Strengths Explained for Disposables, Pods & E-Liquids

How Much Nicotine Is in a Vape? Nicotine Strengths Explained for Disposables, Pods & E-Liquids

If you’ve got a vape and wondered about Nicotine levels, you’re not the only one. Initially, looking at Nicotine strength (in mg, %) can appear confusing; however, whether you're using a disposable vape, pod system, or bottle of vape juice will dictate how to interpret those figures depending on the nicotine level you need when moving away from cigarettes. So, what is nicotine strength?

What Is “Nicotine Strength,” Anyway?

Nicotine strength is your vape juice’s concentration of nicotine. They typically depict it in one of two ways:

• Milligrams per millilitre (mg/mL) – e.g., 10mg, 20mg
• Percentage (%) – e.g., 1%, 2%, 5%

Here’s the simple conversion:

• 1% nicotine = 10mg/mL
• 2% nicotine = 20mg/mL
• 5% nicotine = 50mg/mL

This is the maximum by law in the UK under the TPD regulation.

So if you spot a disposable with ‘20mg’ or ‘2%’ written on it, that’s the strongest one in the UK.

Most disposable vapes are designed to give you the same amount of nicotine as a pack-a-day smoking habit. For new vapers, disposable vapes are the go-to option because they are easy to use and have a consistent level of nicotine. Retailers like UK Vape Kings stock a variety of disposables, so you're much more likely to find one you like.

How Much Nicotine Do You Get from Pod Systems?

• Pod systems (refillable or pre-filled) provide a little more option than disposables.
• Pre-filled pods usually have 2mL of liquid per pod, which is the same as a disposable.

So the total amount of nicotine in a 20mg pre-filled pod is 40mg of nicotine.

Refillable pods allow you to choose the strength of e-liquid you want. This increases the variety of strengths of e-liquids available.

For example, if you were to use a refillable pod system, you could choose

• 3mg of nicotine if you wanted to keep your nicotine use very light
• 6mg of nicotine if you wanted to be more moderate about your nicotine use
• 10mg or 20mg of nicotine when transitioning from smoking

Pod systems are great if you're looking for more control of your nicotine intake.

How Much Nicotine Do You Get From E-Liquid in Bottles?

The strengths of e-liquids (also known as vape juice) vary by the size of the bottle and the strength of the liquid. Typically, you'll find e-liquids offered in strengths of 3mg, 6mg, 12mg, and 18mg.

E-liquids (also called vape juice) come in different bottle sizes and strengths.

Common Strengths in the UK:

• 0mg (nicotine-free)
• 3mg
• 6mg
• 10mg
• 20mg

Bottle sizes for e-liquids include: 10ml (with nicotine); Shortfills typically measure either at 50 ml or 100 ml, with space for adding nicotine into them. For example, an e-liquid comes in a 10ml bottle and a 10mg concentration. You'll have 10mg times 10ml for a total of 100mg of nicotine however, you are not consuming it at once; rather, it is taken during multiple vaping sessions.

What Are the Differences Between Nicotine Salt & Freebase?

You will see these terms (nic salt vs. freebase) on product packaging.

Nic Salt

• Smoother throat hit
• Absorbs faster into the body.
• Works well at higher strengths (10mg to 20mg).
• Best suited for use in disposables and pod systems.

Freebase

• Harsh, stronger throat hit.
• Slower absorption into the body compared to nic salt.
• Usually used at a lower strength (3mg to 6mg).
• Often used in sub-ohm vaping devices.

Usually, when utilizing disposable devices or pods, you're likely vaping nic salt nicotine.

How Are Vape Nicotine Levels Different than Cigarette Nicotine Levels? 

This is a question most often asked by smokers looking to switch to vaping.

A typical cigarette contains between 8mg and 20mg of nicotine, with approximately 1mg to 2mg actually being absorbed by your body. If someone is smoking approximately 20 cigarettes a day, then they are absorbing approximately 20-40mg of nicotine daily.

Thus, when you see smokers switching from smoking to vaping, almost all of them will start with 20mg (2%) levels of nicotine since they feel they are receiving similar satisfaction from the vapor as from the smoke produced by combustion.

However, this can only be determined "afterwards" as the methods in which you get nicotine between these two types of product vary considerably.

Is It Possible to Decrease Your Nicotine Level Over Time?

Yes, many regular vapers reduce their nicotine levels from higher (20mg) to lower (0mg) over time. This may take months or even years, but it is dependent on the individual and will vary from person to person.

Does Vaping Style Affect Your Nicotine Intake?

Absolutely! Even individuals using the same 20mg disposable products can have differing rates of absorption of nicotine based on the following factors:

• Frequency of their puffs
• Length of each inhale taken
• Time between puffs throughout the day
• Ultimately, this is why total nicotine numbers alone do not tell the full story.

Is Higher Nicotine Bad for You?

While nicotine is an addictive substance, it is not the leading cause of the diseases associated with smoking; that would be due to the chemical composition of tar and combustion by-products in cigarettes.

• That being said, higher nicotine levels can do the following:
• Increase your dependence on nicotine
• Increase your risk of experiencing short-term side effects from excessive nicotine use.

The key to using nicotine correctly and safely is to find the appropriate strength based on your individual needs.

Frequently Asked Questions: How Much Nicotine is in a Vape:

Ques. 1) Is 20mg of nicotine a lot? 

Ans. Yes. The legal limit is 20 (2%) mg, which is a strong concentration in the UK. Heavier smokers will find it comfortable to make the switch to using e-cigarettes. The nicotine quantity for lighter or infrequent users is more intense than what they will usually have.

Ques. 2) How many cigarettes does a disposable with 20mg nicotine equal? 

Ans. While a disposable with 20mg nicotine is often stated as being equivalent to one pack of cigarettes in terms of total delivery, because the absorption rates of the two methods are different, you can’t say that they are exactly equivalent on a one-to-one basis.

Ques. 3) Is ten mg nicotine better than 20mg? 

Ans. Ten mg nicotine may be more suitable based on your particular circumstances. If 20 mg is overwhelming for you or is making you dizzy, then you can continue to use 10 mg nicotine, and it will still provide a reasonable method of managing cravings and providing you with a smoother, more enjoyable experience if you are a moderate smoker.

Ques. 4) Can you vape 20mg of nicotine all day?

Ans. You can vape 20mg of nicotine for an entire day if you listen to your body. If you experience headaches, nausea, or other similar symptoms, you are likely overdosing on nicotine and should consider lower strengths.

Ques. 5) What happens when using nicotine that is too low? 

Ans. If you find yourself needing to vape continuously and still don’t get the satisfaction you require, it could be very frustrating and could lead you back to smoking.

Ques. 6) Is zero mg of e-liquid entirely free from nicotine?

Ans. Yes, as with all zero mg of e-liquid, there is absolutely no nicotine. It is an excellent alternative to smoking.