The task of equating puffs from vapes, e-cig drags, and e-liquids to traditional cigarettes is complex. Switching to alternative smoking methods necessarily entails a shift in personal routines and habits. Long-term smokers particularly seek to preserve their leisure and relaxation moments, striving to experience the same gratification and feelings even when they have ceased tobacco use. Determining the equivalent of a traditional cigarette to a vape drag is not straightforward due to the multitude of involved variables.

Both conventional smoking and its alternative share a common feature: they deliver nicotine into the body via inhalation, in the former through burnt tobacco and in the latter through vapour. However, there are distinct aspects of vaping that do not easily compare with traditional smoking: the type of device used, the depth of inhalation, the concentration of substances in the e-liquid, how often one vapes, and even the vaping method, whether mouth-to-lung or direct-to-lung. It is not accurate to claim that 10 puffs are equal to 10 drags of a cigarette, but we can outline some factors for an approximate calculation.

The nicotine issue…

Even with standard cigarettes, the difference in sensation when switching brands or strengths – light, medium, or strong – is clear, such that someone accustomed to strong cigarettes might need to smoke more if they switch to lighter ones. This leads us to the core issue in transitioning from cigarette to e-cig: the strength of nicotine, the main driver behind the gratifying throat hit for smokers. E-liquids contain varying amounts of nicotine, typically between 3 and 18 mg per millilitre, often in the form of nicotine salts.

To get used to the new method of nicotine intake, one might start with the same nicotine amount listed on the cigarette pack to see if vaping provides the same satisfaction.

The body generally takes a couple of weeks to adjust to the change, during which it may seem like more nicotine is needed, a situation that can be managed by temporarily increasing the dosage before tapering it off. E-cigs’ unique benefit is that they gradually lead the former smoker to reduce and eventually cease nicotine consumption.

Here’s an approximate estimate: 12 mg/ml correspond to about 140 traditional cigarettes.

To determine the cigarette equivalent of an e-cig, the choice of device is also fundamental. The coil resistance, voltage, and vaporisation settings significantly affect the vaping style and the resulting sensations. The higher the vapour temperature, the more intense the throat sensation and flavour.

In summary, although there is no one-size-fits-all answer, the key is to find the device and liquid that best satisfy one’s preferences, then embrace the chance to vary and experiment.

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