What nicotine strength should I use?

E-liquid comes in various different strengths of nicotine and there is no exact rule in regards to which strength you should be using. However, what we will try and do is break down each strength and how using different types of devices can give you different results with your chosen nicotine strength.

To get it out of the way, you of course can get 0mg e-liquid. This, containing no nicotine can be used in any device and all you will get is flavour. Pretty straight forward.

What strengths are available?

By law, the maximum strength available in the UK is 20mg. Nicotine can come in all sorts of strengths but you will typically find nicotine in the following strengths:

• 3mg (0.3%)
• 6mg (0.6%)
• 12mg (1.2%)
• 18mg (1.8%)

The higher you go in your nicotine strength, the stronger it will feel in your throat. Nicotine can give you a scratching/tickling feeling in the back of your throat when you inhale – a lot of people will complain about this and it can make you cough after each inhale. If this is happening, then your strength is probably too high for you. 

Nicotine strengths in MTL (mouth-to-lung) devices:

MTL devices are designed to produce the same amount of vapour as you would get smoke from a cigarette. You can use any strength of nicotine up to a maximum of 20mg which you will find suitable for yourself. 

It is hard to break-down the strengths as its a subjective matter, however this how we normally explain the different strengths:

-18mg of nicotine is for heavy smokers who find themselves smoking 20 or more cigarettes a day

-12mg of nicotine is for people who are somewhere between 10-20 cigarettes a day

-6mg of nicotine is best suited towards people who smoke under half a packet of cigarettes a day (I will just point out that 6mg for MTL devices is probably our most popular strength)

-3mg of nicotine is better for ‘social’ smokers who are not too dependent on nicotine

That will hopefully give you a rough indication on what strength might be right for you. As mentioned above, this is all subjective to each individuals needs and how they feel with the strength of nicotine. 

Some users will start on their desired strength and be comfortable with it, and some will start a bit lower to get used to the sensation before going up to the right strength that will satisfy their cravings. The great thing about e-liquid is you can change your strength whenever you want!

Nicotine strengths in DTL (direct-to-lung – also known as sub-ohm) devices:

With DTL devices, the way you inhale is completely different – its like breathing through a wide straw and exhaling straight away. This makes the nicotine on your throat feel a lot stronger – as well as the fact your’e inhaling a lot more vapour which in turn carries more nicotine per inhale.

In regards to what strength of nicotine is used with DTL devices, a rough estimate would be that 95% of users who choose to use nicotine will use 3mg. The remaining will use 6mg and very rarely you will find someone using above 6mg. 

Ultimately, the choice of nicotine is entirely up to each user and we’re always here to provide advice and recommendations. If you need any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01889 226182 or through Facebook.