Ever wondered just how much nicotine your e-liquid has? Or seen numbers like 2% tossed about and found yourself questioning how they translate to your vaping experience? We’re here to help. It’s time to demystify 2% nicotine, so you know exactly what you’re looking at when you’re picking your next vape kit or e-liquid.
What does a 2% nicotine strength mean?
E-liquids are made up of a few different components. The primary ingredients are a VG/PG base mix, which can be adjusted to be higher in one than the other. To this base, flavourings, sweeteners, and occasionally colourings (all of which are food grade) can be added. Nicotine can also be added to the mixture and when it is, there are a variety of strength to choose from.
When an e-liquid is referred to as being 2% nicotine, it means it contains 20 mg/ml of nicotine. The percentage is there to show you how much nicotine is in the mixture in comparison to the total volume of liquid.
In the UK, 2% is the highest nicotine strength allowed by law. However, there are a range of lower levels of e-liquid available, with some of the most common including 3 mg/ml (0.3%), 5 mg/ml (0.5%), 6 mg/ml (0.6%), 10 mg/ml (1%), 12 mg/ml (1.2%) and 18 mg/ml (1.8%). Nicotine free e-liquids are also available.
This variety makes it possible for vapers to adjust the amount of nicotine they’re taking in while vaping. This can be especially good either for those who’re making the switch from smoking (and who will have a variety of different nicotine needs depending on how heavy a smoker they were) or those who’re looking to lower their nicotine intake over time.
Comparison: 2% nicotine vapes vs cigarettes
One of the biggest questions for people quitting smoking is how their chosen e-liquid compares with cigarettes. This is not an exact comparison, but the general rule is that 1 ml of 20 mg/ml nicotine strength e-liquid is roughly equivalent to 20 cigarettes a day.
This may seem strange, especially when you think about the fact that each cigarette tends to have about 8-20 mg of nicotine in it. However, the generally accepted fact is that there’s a nicotine absorption rate of around 1-2 mg of nicotine per cigarette. This is so low because most of the nicotine is exhaled out again.
With vapes, the absorption rate is much more efficient and only a very small amount of 2% nicotine e-liquid is needed to replicate the nicotine hit of a cigarette. So, one 10 ml bottle with 20 mg/ml nicotine strength is the equivalent to around 100 cigarettes.
Find out more in our comprehensive guide to how many cigarettes 20 mg/ml of nicotine is equivalent to.
Factors that make nicotine affect people differently
Nicotine can affect people differently depending on things like biology and tolerance, when you’re looking at e-liquids in a variety of different strengths, it’s smart to take these variances into consideration.
Personal tolerance
As with many things, you’re likely to build up a tolerance to the effects of nicotine over time. So, if you’ve been a heavy smoker or you’re already used to vaping at higher nicotine strengths, then higher concentrations of nicotine are less likely to have a strong effect on you. However, if you were a light smoker, then a 2% nicotine level will likely be much too strong for you.
Someone who is used to a lower nicotine intake may find that 20 mg/ml makes them feel dizzy, lightheaded, headachy, and/or nauseous. This is why e-liquids are available in such a wide range of strengths, to allow each user to find the strength that best reflects their previous nicotine intake from smoking and most effectively manage cravings.
Your metabolism can also affect the way that nicotine makes you feel, due to how quickly your body can process it. So, someone with a fast metabolism is more likely to feel the effects of nicotine more quickly and more intensely.
E-liquid type
The type of e-liquid you use can also influence the way that nicotine affects you, even if they have the same nicotine content. There are two main types of nicotine used in e-liquids: freebase nicotine and nicotine salts (also known as nic salts). Freebase nicotine is extracted from a tobacco leaf using an alkaline based method and then formulated in a lab. For nic salts, nicotine is extracted from the tobacco leaf using an organic compound base to create the desired effect. Nic salts are often thought of as a more authentic form of nicotine.
Due to these changes in composition, 20 mg/ml in a freebase e-liquid will feel much harsher on the throat than a 20 mg/ml in a nic salt e-liquid. Some vapers enjoy this stronger throat hit and it can be especially popular with ex-smokers who’re looking to replicate some of the factors that feel familiar to them.
On the other hand, nicotine salts are absorbed into the blood more quickly than freebase nicotine, so you’re more likely to experience a faster hit. You’ll find lots more information in our handy guide to freebase vs nic salts.
Is 2% nicotine right for you?
Working out which nicotine strength is right for you means having a look at a couple of personal factors that can make a big difference.
Transitioning from smoking
If you were a moderate to heavy smoker, then starting with a 2% nicotine strength e-liquid can be a good way to make sure you’re able to cut cravings as you quit. If you were a lighter smoker, then a lower percentage may offer all of the nicotine you need.
As a general rule of thumb, we usually recommend the following as a good place to start when choosing which nicotine strength to use, based on your previous smoking habits:
Less than 5 cigarettes per day – 3 mg/ml (0.3%)
Between 5 – 10 cigarettes per day – 5 – 6 mg/ml (0.5% - 0.6%)
Between 10 – 20 cigarettes per day – 10 – 12 mg/ml (1% - 1.2%)
20+ cigarettes per day – 18 – 20 mg/ml (1.8% - 2%)
From here you can increase or decrease your strength as needed if you feel an adjustment needs to be made and can experiment with the different e-liquid types to find what works for you.
Occasional users
If you were a very light smoker or you only smoke on occasion, then a lower level of nicotine like a 3 mg/ml (0.3%) – or even a nicotine-free e-liquid – could be just what you need. The physical act of vaping can help replace the habit of smoking, even when there’s no nicotine involved.
Lowering nicotine intake
If you’re looking to lower your nicotine intake, then a gradual reduction in the strength of your e-liquid is a good way to do it. This gives your body the chance to adjust to lower levels and makes it less likely that you’ll suffer from cravings. Our guide on how to decrease your nicotine strength could help.
2% nicotine e-liquids contain the maximum concentration of nicotine allowed in the UK. They can be great for people making the switch from smoking to vaping and for those who’re looking to manage a nicotine craving. There are a huge variety of options to choose from and, if you’re interested in reducing your nicotine intake, there are also a selection of lower strength nicotine e-liquids.
Of course, individual experiences vary and it’s best to see what works for you – and what doesn’t. Be sure you have all the information you need then make your choices based on your own particular needs. If you think you could do with some expert advice, be sure to pop in to your local Evapo store or get in touch with Customer Service team. We’ll be happy to answer any questions. Or, if you’re good to go, explore our e-liquid range online.
