The question of which is better, a vape or cigarette has been debated now for years. But the query that is at the centre of this debate and can help you achieve your own definitive answer, is how many vape puffs is equal to a cigarette?
Before we dive into this question and everything you need to consider, we need to make it clear that there is no accurate measurement for cigarettes and e-cigarette comparison. This is because the delivery and absorption of nicotine by the body is different, as well as how it is consumed. So, to put it simply, you cannot accurately measure the number of vape puffs versus a cigarette.
We seek to keep our customers as informed as possible, so we have put together a full rundown of the difference between nicotine in cigarettes versus vaping. As well as helping you to understand what e-liquid nicotine levels mean, and how you can find the right nicotine level for you.
Nicotine Consumption in Vaping
lf you’re already a seasoned vaper, you’re probably already aware that nicotine dosage is almost always measured in milligrams (mg). Currently, the standard levels of nicotine in the vaping industry are 0mg, 3mg, 6mg and 12mg. If you’re someone switching from cigarettes to vaping in order to stop the habit, then you will usually start off with a higher level of nicotine in your vape, and then gradually decrease this amount.
The dosage of nicotine in your vape represents the value in each 1ml of e-liquid and is sometimes shown as a percentage. For example:
·0mg is equal to no nicotine.
·3mg is equal to 0.3% nicotine by volume
·6mg is equal to 0.6% nicotine by volume
·12mg is equal to 1.2% nicotine by volume
To put this into an example using 12mg, there is 12mg of nicotine per 1ml of e-liquid. A 12mg, 60ml bottle of e-liquid has a total of 720 milligrams of nicotine per bottle, as you use the equation mg x ml.
Now that you understand how the level of nicotine is worked out, it is imperative that you determine what amount of nicotine is best for you and your health. Even though these levels of nicotine are available publicly, it is still hard to determine the actual consumption rate. Instead, a smoker looking to change to vaping should consider their own smoking habits as everyone has different tolerance levels of nicotine. If you dive in with too high of a nicotine dose that you’re not used to, it can result in negative side effects.
How Much Nicotine is in a Cigarette?
On average, one single cigarette contains around 1 gram of tobacco, and this is equal to approximately 8mg of nicotine. However, typically a smoker will never absorb the entirety of the nicotine content due to a number of factors.
It is important to note that nicotine levels in cigarettes vary depending on the type or brand. As well, it can vary on how he or she smokes their cigarettes to how much nicotine they intake. Similarly, how long the cigarette is left to burn in between puffs can also affect this.
To put it into perspective we say that cigarettes contain between 8mg to 20mg of nicotine, however, we usually stick to the lower end of 8mg, as it’s nearly impossible for a smoker to inhale the entire nicotine content. This is why many smokers choose to change to vapes, as they can control exactly how much nicotine they intake and work to bring this number down over a period of time.
The Big Difference
Although you may be reading this guide and wondering why you should bother switching from cigarettes to a vape, there is still one important thing to consider. While a cigarette can in some cases have the same amount of nicotine as a vape, your body will react differently to each form. Of course, cigarettes, unlike vapes, contain many more other harmful chemicals in them which also affect the consumption rate for nicotine, and in turn, make it impossible to keep track.
When vaping to quit smoking, you should only vape until you feel the pleasant nicotine buzz. Taking puffs after this is excessive and will decrease the effectiveness of vaping for you.
Making the Switch
Now you understand the differences between nicotine in vapes and cigarettes, you can make an informed decision of whether it’s right for you to make the switch. Of course, we always recommend that a smoker tries a vape even once, and we are pretty sure they will be happy with the change. In order to make switching an even easier process, we are pleased to offer a wide range of vape devices, including e-cigarettes which can be a great transition device. Plus, you can have fun trying and experimenting with a wide range of e-liquid flavours in a variety of nicotine strengths, so start exploring today.