How Much Nicotine Is in Disposable Vapes?

Nicotine is only one of the many elements that go into making a great e-liquid for your vape. There are also flavourings, propylene glycol (PG), and vegetable glycerin (VG). But understandably, people pay attention to the concentrations in the e-liquid that they're vaping.

It’s a good idea to monitor your nicotine intake, and if you’re switching to vaping from cigarettes, you might want to know how they compare. We cover everything you need to know in this guide.

How Much Nicotine Is in Disposable Vapes vs. Cigarettes?

When considering smoking versus vaping, you might compare them in terms of numerous factors, from their health implications to their environmental impact. But what about their nicotine levels? 

The nicotine levels in cigarettes are hard to compare to the levels in vapes because a cigarette you smoke in one sitting and then it's through. In contrast, a disposable vape can last between 1 and 10 days. It also depends on factors like the vape juice you’re using, the capacity of your vape, and more.

Generally speaking, a traditional cigarette contains 8-20mg, and you're likely to absorb between 1-2mg. 

The total amount of nicotine in disposable vapes is far higher, often falling in a range between 50mg and 300mg. Remember that vapes aren't meant to be used all at once but spread out like a pack of cigarettes. That accounts for the shockingly higher levels.

How Many Vape Puffs Are Equal to a Cigarette?

Deducing how many puffs equal a single cigarette isn’t an exact science. The key to this equation is determining how much nicotine you get per puff.

Most disposable vapes will display the total amount of nicotine and the projected amount of puffs you'll get out of them on the packaging. Divide the total nicotine content by the total amount of puffs, and you'll get the amount you're inhaling per puff. 

Let’s say you have a vape that has a 2ml capacity with 18mg/ml of nicotine in a vape that offers an estimated 700 puffs. That means you’d get around .05mg per puff (this, of course, varies based on factors like how large your puffs are). 

Remember, you’re likely to absorb between 1-2mg in a traditional cigarette. At .05mg contained per puff, you’d need around 20-40 puffs to go through an amount that’s comparable to what your body absorbs with a traditional cigarette. 

Of course, that figure refers to the amount an average puff of that vape would contain, not the realistic amount your body would absorb. For this reason, you might find yourself consuming more nicotine when you’re vaping. 

Nicotine Absorption: What’s the Difference?

To understand the difference in absorption between vapes and cigarettes, you have to understand disposable vapes don’t work the same as traditional cigarettes in terms of absorption. 

Tobacco cigarettes deliver nicotine to the user faster than vapes do. With vaping, because you’re not getting the nicotine as quickly, you may end up ingesting more puffs to reach your desired amount.

This difference in absorption could be because cigarettes contain many more chemicals and additives than vapes, including some that strengthen addiction to nicotine. In contrast, vape e-liquids contain vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, nicotine, and flavourings.

Puff Count and Usage Norms for Disposable Vapes

As mentioned previously, you might find yourself consuming an increased amount of nicotine if you switch to vaping from smoking, partly due to the difference in how this substance is absorbed in traditional cigarettes versus vapes.

The number of puffs you’ll take depends on your specific usage habits, as well as how concentrated your e-liquid is. If you take longer puffs, you’ll likely ingest an increased amount of nicotine than someone who takes shorter puffs. 

Remember, you typically absorb roughly 1-2mg per cigarette, so you can estimate that you’ll consume (though not necessarily absorb) the same amount with 20-40 puffs of a vape with a 2ml capacity of 18mg/ml and an estimated 700 puffs. 

This figure can help you as a baseline to compare to how many cigarettes you smoked if you’re switching to vaping from smoking, but you may find yourself consuming more nicotine when vaping.

What Types of Nicotine Are in Disposable Vapes?

Disposable vapes contain one of two primary types of nicotine. There’s freebase nicotine found in vapes with low concentrations, and on the higher end of the range, there are nicotine salts. Salts allow for higher concentrations of nicotine, and it has a reputation for the “throat feel” it provides, mimicking the feeling of tobacco smoke. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Is 2% Nicotine in a Disposable Vape?

When vape packaging declares that a vape is “2% nicotine," that simply means the level is 2% of the total volume of the e-liquid. Thus, if a device with a 10ml capacity is advertised as 2%, that means there’s 200mg in the e-liquid.

What Percentage of Nicotine Is in a Disposable Vape?

Vaping regulations in Canada by the Nicotine Concentration in Vaping Products Regulations (NCVPR) set nicotine concentrations at a maximum of 20 mg/ml for all vaping products. Vapes in Canada are typically offered between 0-20 mg/ml. Different nicotine strengths allow users to choose their desired strength based on their individual preferences.

How Much Nicotine Is in a Puff of a Disposable Vape?

How much nicotine is in each puff of your vape depends on several factors, such as the strength of your e-liquid and how many puffs your vape contains. In a disposable vape offering 700 puffs with 2ml of 15mg/ml e-liquid, that would be around .05mg per puff – but the size of your puffs will impact this as well. 

Final Thoughts

While vapes contain more nicotine than your average cigarette, this is because they aren’t meant to be used all at once. Understanding the differences in how much nicotine both cigarettes and vapes contain, as well as understanding how they’re absorbed differently by the body, is essential in understanding your habits. 

At WAKA, we have a wide selection of vapes that come with plenty of flavours and options to choose from, so every vaper is sure to find something they’ll like. Check out our selection today to find your perfect fit!