How many puffs are equal to smoking a cigarette?
The answer to this question, again, varies widely. The type of e-liquid you vape, the device you use, and your technique will impact nicotine absorption. It is hard to make even rough comparisons.
Which factors influence nicotine absorption?
Absorption When Smoking
The body absorbs more nicotine when you smoke a cigarette than when you vape e-liquid as demonstrated by several studies.
A study funded by the American E-Liquid Manufacturing Standards Association (AEMSA), revealed that nicotine levels after smoking a tobacco cigarette in five minutes (18.8ng/ml) were 185% and 286% higher compared to using first and new-generation electronic cigarette devices, respectively.
Based on the available research papers, it is possible to conclude that nicotine absorption rates from cigarettes are three to four times higher than those from vapes.
This means that you need to take more puffs on your vape than you might think to absorb the amount of nicotine found in a cigarette.
Type of Nicotine
There is no doubt that the type of nicotine that features in your e-liquid will impact nicotine absorption.
Salt nicotine is absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream than freebase nicotine. Many vapers feel that it provides longer-lasting relief of cravings which could mean that vapers need to take fewer puffs during the day to remain satisfied or that they require a lower nicotine strength.
The Nature of the Device
The more vapour that is inhaled, the more nicotine that is delivered to the body. High wattage devices fitted with low resistance coils vaporise more liquid per puff and will deliver larger aerosol volumes. This is why high VG e-liquids for sub-ohm vaping tend to boast lower nicotine strengths.
PG/VG Ratio
PG (propylene glycol) carries flavour and nicotine more efficiently than VG (vegetable glycerine). The PG/VG ratio of your e-liquid could make a difference to nicotine absorption.
Vaping Style
How you inhale will significantly affect nicotine absorption. When mouth to lung (MTL) vaping, vapour is held briefly in the mouth before being drawn into the lungs. But when direct to lung (DTL) vaping, vapour is drawn directly into the lungs, leading to greater absorption of nicotine.
Puff Duration and Frequency
The longer the puff, the greater the amount of vapour that is inhaled. If you inhale a larger amount of vapour, you will absorb more nicotine.
Individual Physiology
Personal factors including lung capacity, metabolic rate and nicotine tolerance will also impact nicotine absorption. The rate at which the body clears nicotine also varies from one person to another.
