Nicotine Strength Guide

How to Choose the Right Nicotine Strength

As a nicotine consumer, choosing between e-liquids for vapes can be confusing. With so many formulas, flavours and nicotine strengths available, how do you know what suits your experience?

Explore this guide to learn about choosing the right nicotine strength depending on your expectations.

What is nicotine?

Nicotine is an ingredient in tobacco and most vaping e-liquids, disposable vapes and nicotine pouches*. It’s an addictive substance that can be consumed in various ways.

What do the numbers on bottles of e-liquid mean?

The numbers on e-liquid bottles represent how much nicotine is contained in the liquid. Most varieties include the same ingredients: pharmaceutical-grade nicotine polymer, propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG) and flavours. The amounts and ratios of these ingredients can differ from product to product.

E-liquids also come in different nicotine strengths suited to various consumers. This lets vapers control their nicotine consumption and can be helpful for those looking to reduce their intake. 

Curious about vape strengths? Before you refill your vape, get to know the difference between nicotine strengths in e-liquids, including the following:

• 3mg. The lowest nicotine strength available in e-liquids.
• 6mg. Low-strength.
• 12mg. Medium-strength.
• 18mg. High-strength.

Learn more about e-liquids and how they work in our ultimate guide to e-liquids.

How much nicotine is suitable for me? 

Choosing the most suitable nicotine strength is a decision only you can make. For nicotine consumers transitioning from smoking to vaping, it can be helpful to understand how nicotine content translates from cigarettes to e-cigarettes.

Choosing e-liquid for your vape device type

If you’re using an open-system vape, the best way to choose the right e-liquid is to look at your device coil’s ohm rating (a measure of electrical resistance).

When you know the ohm rating, you can use the following guidance to choose an e-liquid with the correct PG (propylene glycerol) to VG (vegetable glycerin) ratio.

Most e-liquid bottles have their PG/VG ratio displayed on the label. You can use this ratio to determine which is best for your device.

Over 50% VG is suitable for coils with less than 1ohm resistance.

Over 50% PG is suitable for coils with more than 1ohm resistance.

50/50 VG/PG suits most vapes.

Nicotine strength doesn’t impact the consistency of e-liquid, so you can choose an option with the VG/PG ratio that suits your device in your preferred strength and flavour.

Which nicotine strength should I choose?

Learning how to translate e-liquid nicotine strengths into cigarette terms can help you determine the most suitable option for you.

Nicotine strength:	Suitable for:	Ten Motives products:
18mg nicotine	Smokers of JPS Real Blue, Pall Mall Red, Superking Blue, Marlboro Red or Mayfair cigarettes. Consumers can explore 20mg nicotine strength if they don’t find 18mg to be suitable. If 18mg makes you feel unwell, consider switching to a lower strength.	Velo high-strength nicotine pouches, 18mg e-liquid bottles and 18mg e-liquid cartridges.
12mg nicotine	Light to medium smokers of medium-strength cigarettes, including Marlboro Light, Silk Cut, Pall Mall Blue or B&H.  12mg can be a good match for those used to rolling tobacco.	12mg e-liquid cartridges and 12mg e-liquid bottles.
6mg nicotine	Nicotine consumers who are looking to reduce consumption.  Light or social smokers may find 6mg suitable for a comfortable transition to vaping.	Velo 6mg nicotine pouches, 6mg e-liquid bottles and 6mg e-liquid cartridges.
3mg nicotine	Nicotine consumers who want very light nicotine levels or those on a path to quitting.	3mg e-liquid bottles.
0mg nicotine	Consumers looking to cut out nicotine who may find continuing habits around vaping help with the process.	0mg e-liquid bottles and 0mg e-liquid cartridges.

Explore Ten Motives e-liquid strengths and flavours

Now you understand nicotine strengths and e-liquids, you’re ready to choose the most suitable option for your experience. Explore Ten Motives e-liquid bottles and cartridges to keep your device topped up. Or browse disposable vapes, which come pre-loaded with 20mg e-liquid.

* These products are not risk-free and contain nicotine, an addictive substance.

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