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If you are considering making the switch from smoking to a nicotine alternative, then understanding nicotine strengths and how they work can help you find the right balance.

Vaping and nicotine pouches are less harmful smoking alternatives that allow you to replace cigarettes with a different source of nicotine. The nicotine strength listed on products like e-liquids or nicotine pouches tells you how much nicotine they contain, with different strengths available to suit different needs.

We know that this information can be hard to understand, especially as nicotine strengths aren’t labelled the same way across all products, so we are here to show you how to find information about nicotine strength and what it means.

Why do nicotine strength labels use different measurements?

The fact that different types of products label nicotine strength in different ways may seem confusing, but this happens because of the way the products are made and how they are meant to be used.

For example, vape juice is a liquid and so the nicotine content is displayed in liquid measurements, while the strength of nicotine pouches is measured by weight as they are a solid.

Another consideration is that the way that nicotine is delivered has a big effect on how the strength is experienced. Inhalation of nicotine via vaping offers a much faster absorption rate than pouches, this is because the vapour can fill a large surface area. Pouches are slower, because the nicotine is absorbed through the lining of the mouth, sublingual glands, and via the saliva that is swallowed during use.

This means that nicotine pouches often require a higher total mg to feel equivalent to a few puffs of a high strength vape juice, and that what may look like an equivalent nicotine strength when you look at the numbers will not necessarily feel that way.

The way that the nicotine is absorbed means that vaping provides a fast spike in nicotine, which pouches offer a more sustained and consistent release.

How are nicotine strengths shown for e-liquids?

When it comes to e-liquids, nicotine strength is usually shown as mg/ml. So, if a label says 3 mg/ml, this means that each 1ml of e-liquid contains 3mg of nicotine. In the UK, the legal limit for nicotine in e-liquid is 20mg per 1ml of vape juice. This means that labelling should show a nicotine strength of 20 mg/ml or less. Any e-liquid that lists a higher nicotine strength than this should not be legally sold in the UK.

Ultimately, a higher mg/ml number means a higher nicotine concentration in the liquid. However, the way that you experience or feel after inhaling the e-liquid also depends on the nicotine type, your kit, coil, power, airflow and how often you vape. For example, freebase nicotine tends to give a more pronounced throat hit than nicotine salts, which means it may feel as though you are experiencing a higher nicotine strength even when they are technically the same.

It is also important to consider the fact that while all e-liquid products will have a mg/ml nicotine strength, some may also display the strength as a percentage.

What do percentages mean on vape products?

Sometimes, especially if you are travelling, you might see percentages listed on e-liquids. In the UK, the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) ensure that an e-liquid must always have the nicotine strength on the bottle in mg/ml, but some may also show the percentage.

If you do find a percentage listed for an e-liquid, it describes the same type of measurement as you will see with mg/ml. While mg/ml represents the volume of nicotine within the e-liquid, the % represents what percentage of the overall e-liquid is nicotine. So, 1% is around 10 mg/ml and so on.

What nicotine strengths are available for vaping?

There are a wide range of nicotine strengths available for vaping, although in the UK, the highest legal strength is 20 mg/ml. Here at Evapo, we stock e-liquids with 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 18 and 20 mg/ml nicotine strengths, as well as a number of nicotine-free options. This allows you to find the one that best suits you, whether you are looking to manage your cravings, wean yourself off nicotine or find the most suitable strength to help you make the switch from cigarettes.

When you are looking at nicotine strengths, it is also important to have an idea of what those might feel like – especially in comparison to smoking. For example, if you were a relatively light smoker, starting with a lower nicotine strength and moving up only if you find it does not satisfy your cravings is a sensible way to start.

We also offer some advice if you are looking to reduce the amount of nicotine you are taking, check out our guide to decreasing nicotine intake.

The graphic below demonstrates the recommended starting strength for smokers when making the switch to vaping, based on your current smoking habits.


An infographic which outlines what nicotine strengths mean across both e-liquids and pouches

How are nicotine strengths shown on nicotine pouches?

When it comes to nicotine pouches, you will see nicotine strength referenced to as a mg. This shows how much nicotine a pouch contains in relation to its weight.

Here at Evapo, we make it easy to work out what kind of experience the nicotine strength is likely to equate to by selling pouches in strength categories. Our nicotine pouch categories are:

  • Mild: 1-5mg per pouch
  • Regular: 6-10mg per pouch
  • Strong: 11-15mg per pouch
  • Extreme: 16mg+ per pouch

It is also important to be aware that you might find that some brands display the nicotine strength per pouch, while others display it as strength per gram. We display the nicotine strength of all of our nicotine pouches as mg per pouch, making it easy to find the right strength for you, but we also include the mg/g strength in the product description. You can also do a simple calculation to work out the strength in a way that you are familiar with.

Nicotine per gram calculationTo work out nicotine per pouch, when you know total weight of pot + weight per gram
Multiply the total weight of the pot by the nicotine concentration per gram
Divide the total nicotine content by the number of pouches
Nicotine per pouch calculationTo work out nicotine per pouch, when you know total weight of pot + weight per pouch
Divide total weight by number of pouches = single pouch weight
Divide the amount of nicotine per pouch, by the weight of 1 pouch

It is also worth thinking about the fact that the strength can feel different across brands and flavours. For example, a menthol flavoured nicotine pouch from one brand may feel as though it has a higher strength than a fruit flavoured pouch from a different brand, even if they contain the exact same amount of nicotine. Also, the longer a pouch is used, the less nicotine it will release. Your personal nicotine tolerance can also play a part in how you experience the strength of any given pouch.

What nicotine pouch strengths are available?

At Evapo, we offer a huge range of nicotine options, allowing you to experiment and find the one that best suits your needs. There tends to be even more variety in nicotine pouches than in e-liquids, so you will find a huge range to choose from. You can either selection from the categories below or head direct to our nicotine pouches page and using the dropdown menu on the left to select your desired strength.

We go into more detail in our post about how to choose the right strength of nicotine pouch.

Is mg/ml the same as mg per pouch?

No, mg/ml and mg per pouch are different measurements and are used for measuring different products, so they can’t be thought of as the same thing. However, both measure the nicotine strength per product and can be used to work out whether a product contains a suitable amount of nicotine for you.

Make the switch with Evapo

If you are thinking about making the switch from smoking, the team at Evapo is here to help. We offer a wide range of products in a huge variety of different nicotine strengths, making it easier to create a plan that helps you manage your cravings and move away from cigarettes.

Conclusion

All e-liquids and nicotine pouches should be clearly labelled with their nicotine strengths. These strengths can be used to determine how much nicotine the products will release. It is worth bearing in mind that the experience may feel different depending on the brand, your own tolerance levels and other factors.

However, with experimentation, it is possible to discover which products best match your needs. If you would like some help talking through your options or finding the products that could help you stop smoking, the friendly Evapo team is always here to help either online or at your local Evapo store.

Sources:

Gov.uk – 15/08/2015

Gov.uk – 18/08/2024