How to choose your nicotine content?

Foreword

In an e-liquid, the presence of nicotine allows you to initiate withdrawal and to perceive the “hit” when inhaling the vapour. For many years, it has been used by the pharmaceutical industry in the manufacture of patches or chewing gums. Like these nicotine substitutes, the vape also allows nicotine to be delivered, but this time by vaporization.

A study published in 2015 showed that the electronic cigarette was, moreover, less addictive than nicotine chewing gums.

The vape, an efficient tool

When you switch from smoked tobacco to electronic cigarettes, you are using a tool that is 95% less harmful (cf. vaping vs smoking). This allows you to gradually reduce your nicotine level in order to limit your relative dependence. This is the whole spirit of vaping.

Despite everything, it is not easy for a newbie vaper to find “the right fit” and to know which level of nicotine to choose for a good start. Several parameters must therefore be taken into account.

With vaping, the inhaled nicotine is absorbed more slowly than when you smoke. This difference may lead to an increased use of electronic cigarettes compared to combustible cigarettes, but should not be a worry. Another parameter to take into account, the “throat hit” or “hit” that some smokers want to find when switching to vape. The “hit” is this “itchy” sensation, which is in fact the contraction of the larynx due to the passage of nicotine in the throat. A hit that is too strong will irritate the vaper’s throat, while a hit that is too weak will give the impression of not inhaling anything and may give rise to feelings of withdrawal. To find this hit, it is necessary to take into account the dosage of nicotine as well as the potency of its material, each being dependent on one another.

The different nicotine levels

In France, the legislation governing vaping products allows a nicotine concentration of up to 20 milligrams per milliliter (mg / ml). Thus, at VDLV, you can find e-liquids at different rates: 0 mg / ml, 3 mg / ml, 6 mg / ml, 9 mg / ml, 12 mg / ml and 16 mg / ml.

Choosing the right nicotine content

Translating cigarette consumption into e-liquid nicotine levels can prove to be a real headache. Here are some general recommendations:

  • Less than 5 cigarettes per day: prefer an e-liquid with a nicotine level of 3 mg / ml
  • From 5 to 10 cigarettes per day: prefer an e-liquid with a nicotine level of 6 mg / ml
  • Between 10 to 15 cigarettes per day: opt for an e-liquid with a nicotine rate of 9 to 12 mg / ml
  • More than 15 cigarettes per day: choose an e-liquid with a nicotine level greater than 12 mg / ml

These values are not fixed. It remains imperative to test several different rates and discuss it with professionals (tobacco specialists or specialist shops). They will be able to direct you to a rate that suits you. We recommend testing the nicotine levels from highest to lowest in order to be able to assess how your hit feels in several stages.