How Many Puffs in a Day Is Normal for Vaping?

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Vaping vs. Cigarette Smoking: An Overview
Nicotine Levels in E-Juice
How Much Nicotine Is in a Cigarette Compared to Vape?
Determining Your Vaping Nicotine Level

Vaping gets a bad reputation in today's society, but it shouldn't. It is often a transitioning option for those wishing to stop smoking altogether. 

Vaping is when an e-cigarette or vape pen heats nicotine extracted from tobacco, which mixes with flavors to create a vapor you inhale. Vaping is an alternative for those who want to stop smoking because it gradually tapers off the amount of nicotine one consumes each day. 

If you're wondering how many puffs you should be taking in one day, you're not alone. Many people struggle with this very problem. Are you curious about how much nicotine is in a vape or how many puffs in one day is typical for vaping? Keep reading for a data-backed breakdown of vaping and nicotine levels! 

Vaping vs. Cigarette Smoking: An Overview

Most cigarette smokers only need a few puffs of cigarette smoking to get the nicotine that their bodies crave. However, it's socially acceptable to smoke an entire cigarette to get your money's worth. Doing so gives your body far more of the chemical than you need. 

This is why smoking a vape is a reliable way to stop smoking cigarettes instead of quitting cold turkey. A vape doesn't have a time limit in which you need to finish it. There are fewer harmful chemicals, and you can control the amount of nicotine you want. 

It's a common myth that nicotine is a harmful substance to your health, but this is not entirely true. It is an addictive substance, but several other chemicals in tobacco smoke are much more harmful. The presence of other toxic chemicals in traditional tobacco cigarettes is another reason why vaping or using e-cigarettes is a better alternative. 

The most significant benefit of vaping is that the devices do not contain two of the most dangerous constituents in cigarettes: carbon monoxide and tar. E-cigarettes and vapes are not entirely risk-free, but they have proven to be more reliable than cigarettes. According to the latest research review by Public Health England, the vapor from e-cigarettes do contain harmful chemicals but at much lower levels. 

There are several different kinds of vapes and e-cigarettes, such as cigalikes, vape pens, pod systems, and mods. They are all different shapes, sizes, and designs. They are almost always portable, rechargeable, and some refillable. Heavier smokers will prefer to select vape pens and pod systems more, while lighter smokers will enjoy cigalikes. 

Deciding which vape is best for you depends on personal preference and nicotine levels in the e-juice cartridge.

Nicotine Levels in E-Juice

When purchasing e-juice or vape pods, you need to select the nicotine level you want. These levels vary from 0% to 0-3%, 3-5%, and over 5%. The percentages represent the amount of nicotine in each milliliter of e-juice. Measurements also may be in milligrams or mg. 

A general rule of thumb is that you should choose a higher amount if you are or were a heavy cigarette smoker. If you're trying to quit, you can work your way down from there. If you are a light cigarette smoker, you should choose a lower concentration and try to stay at that level.

Nicotine Content - 3% and 5%

So, how much nicotine is in a vape?

• 0% - No nicotine whatsoever. Best for users who are slightly addicted to nicotine or do not currently use nicotine. These e-juices are smooth, with no throat hit.
• 0-3% - 0-30mg of nicotine per milliliter. The most common amount in commercial vape juice and the most flavors.
• 3-5% - 30-50mg of nicotine per milliliter. A higher amount (3-5mg per mL), best for regular to heavy smokers trying to cut down on their current intake levels. This range also has many flavors.
• 5% or more - The highest concentration possible (50mg + per mL). You should avoid these generally unless you have an intense smoking habit. Then, you may need to maintain your current level of nicotine intake before tapering off slowly.

How Much Nicotine Is in a Cigarette Compared to Vape?

The answer to this question may surprise you. 

Cigarettes have no standardized amount of the chemical. They come in various sizes and shapes, with various kinds of tobacco. Hundreds of different companies manufacture cigarettes. 

This variety entails that it's impossible to standardize the amount of nicotine in cigarettes. However, the average amount of nicotine in a standard cigarette is 14mg.

Depending on the nicotine content in your e-juice, the amount in a cigarette may be higher or lower. In general, however, if you choose the 0-3% range, you'll have a median range that should deliver the same amount as a cigarette.

Calculating Nicotine Levels Per Puff

How much nicotine is in a vape kit? It depends. The levels in your chosen e-juice can vary, so the amount of nicotine per puff varies as well. 

The amount of nicotine intake per puff also depends on the length of the puff. For instance, someone who takes a 3-second drag at 3% nicotine might have a higher intake than someone who takes a 3-second drag at 0.5% nicotine. Non-nicotine vapes will have no intake of the chemical at all.

It is difficult to calculate exactly how much nicotine you are ingesting per puff of vape, but you can with a little effort. Calculating this is as easy as dividing the total amount of puffs in the juice pack by the total milligrams of nicotine.

Say your e-juice is 1.8%. This percentage equates to about 18mg of nicotine per 1mL of e-juice. Assuming your vape pen holds one 1mL pack of e-juice, it allows for 300 puffs. (You can usually find this number on the packaging). All you need to do is divide 18 by 300 to get your milligrams of nicotine per puff (about 0.06mg of nicotine per puff).

The amount of nicotine per puff varies depending on several factors, including how long the drag is. Taking a long drag of the vape will result in a higher amount of nicotine intake, which lowers the number of future puffs you can take. If you're inconsistent in drag lengths, calculating the nicotine per puff might not be useful. However, if you're consistent in your vaping and consistent in your drag length, the calculation can work for you.

So How Many Puffs Per Day Is Normal?

The answer isn't so straightforward. There is no real "normal," and the puffs per day don't matter. The acceptable daily intake for nicotine varies based on several modes of life and biological factors. 

Since the system to calculate nicotine intake per puff isn't an exact science, it's better to satisfy your needs.  

If you're trying to stop smoking, satisfy your cravings but reduce your nicotine concentration over time. Make sure you're not over-consuming throughout the day.

How much nicotine does the human body take in?

If you have no idea where to start, we can help. There are so many options for vaping that it can seem overwhelming. Here's how you can determine your vaping nicotine level based on what flavors you like, how harsh the nicotine hits you, and other factors.

Determining Your Vaping Nicotine Level

Finding out what your vaping nicotine level depends on several factors.

Taste/Flavor

Much like alcoholic beverages, a higher nicotine level e-juice will have a much harsher taste. Some vapes users will prefer a lower level simply to tolerate the taste. However, more experienced users have become accustomed to the harsh taste of a high percentage of e-juice. It's up to you to determine if you want the taste to be a priority when vaping.

Throat Hit

"Throat hit" describes the feeling in your throat when you inhale nicotine. When inhaling vapor with a low concentration, it feels smooth and satisfying. But when inhaling vapor with a higher percentage, it can feel intolerable. Again, it's up to you to determine a throat hit that suits you at the level of concentration that you prefer.

Usage

A heavy smoker trying to quit smoking will likely need a higher level of nicotine. A mild smoker will likely need a much lower concentration because they do not need as much to satisfy their nicotine needs. 

The environment in which you are vaping plays a part as well. If you vape socially or sparingly, a higher level may work for you because you're not inhaling as much. However, if you vape in long sessions, you might need a lower concentration.

Smoking Equivalency

If you once smoked, you'll need to find a nicotine level that will give you the same pleasure you had when you smoked cigarettes. A person trying to quit smoking should gradually lower your concentration over time.

As you can see, several different factors go into choosing which concentration is perfect for you. In the most basic terms, follow these two rules when choosing a concentration:

1. If you used to smoke or vaping e-juices with nicotine, choose a concentration that satisfies your nicotine intake.
2. If you are not an ex-smoker or have no experience vaping with nicotine, just forget about vaping and smoking and never try them.

Conclusion

Even though it is possible to calculate nicotine levels per puff, it's still challenging to measure how much nicotine is in a vape. It's a much better practice to simply be aware of your smoking habits while making sure you're not taking in too much.