Choosing the Best Nicotine Strength for You
If you’re new to the world of vaping, then trying to come to grips with all the jargon, devices, and nicotine strengths can be hard work. If you’ve never so much as looked at a vape product or E liquid in NZ, then it’s a new concept.
Many people learn quickly what flavors they do and don’t like, and what vape products are enjoyable. What takes a little longer is trying to work out the nicotine strength you prefer.
With many variables, it can be a process of elimination. If you need a helping hand, read on. You’ll have the nicotine strength that works for you in no time.
Nicotine Salts and Freebase Nicotine
Before you continue to learn about nicotine strengths, it’s a good idea first to understand the two types of E liquids you can buy in New Zealand. Otherwise, you’ll likely think that the strength is comparable across the two products. It’s not.
Nicotine salts contain benzoic acid which equates to faster absorption and a more satisfying hit at a higher nicotine strength. It also produces less cloud and comes in a broader range of intensities.
Unlike freebase nicotine, the salt variety promotes a smoother hit – even at the highest strength.
Freebase nicotine, which is what you find in your standard packet of cigarettes, is additive-free nicotine that has a slower absorption rate. It produces more cloud and comes in low to medium strength options. However, the higher the rating of nicotine, the harsher the hit.
Now you know that the high strength nicotine in freebase and salts does not promote a comparable vaping experience.
Where Do I Begin?
The first thing you need to establish is the kind of cigarette smoker you are or were. The heavier the smoker, the higher the nicotine content you need in your E liquid in NZ.
Most 10-a-day smokers can start at the midway point. In freebase nicotine, that would be around 12mg — most freebase nicotine E liquids in NZ range between 3mg and 30mg. There are a few exceptions to the rule.
If you are a heavy smoker, then 18-24mg is possibly a better starting point in the freebase range. Nicotine salts, on the other hand, can be anywhere up to 60mg. Most people say that the smoothness of salts makes a low dosage of freebase nicotine E-liquid feel the same as high dosage of nicotine salt E-liquid.
You will need to decide which type of E-liquid works for you before you choose the nicotine strength.
Vapour Production
Believe it or not, you can choose vape products and E-liquid in NZ that suit the type of vapour experience you want to have. Minimal cloud? No problem. Giant clouds? Sure thing! The E liquid and vape devices work hand in hand.
If you are new to vaping, using it as a quit smoking method, then you may be after a discreet, low vapour option. Fortunately, many E liquids in NZ produce clouds reasonably similar to a cigarette. Pair a mouth-to-lung tank or pod system with a high strength nicotine salt liquid for the best experience.
If you want a little bit of a cloud, but not too much, then 6-9mg of freebase nicotine, or 20-30mg of nicotine salts can be the solution. You can use these with almost any vape product.
If you feel like copying a steam train and you’re not worried about achieving a colossal nicotine hit, then a sub-OHM tank with large airflow channels is the device you are going to need. You can then pair it with either nicotine salts of around 10mg, or freebase nicotine of up to 6mg.
Stuck Trying to Decide?
Entering the world of vaping can seem quite confusing. There appears to be a lot of science involved, not to mention thousands of different product options.
While it can look complicated, it’s not. There are plenty of starter kits to suit beginners, and then it’s a case of choosing between freebase nicotine and nicotine salts.
From here, it’s then a process of trial and error to determine whether the E liquid you purchased is too strong, not strong enough, or just right.
If it’s too strong, you’ll likely feel irritation in the back of your throat to the point of needing to cough. If it’s not strong enough, you may still feel like a cigarette – even after using your vape product often. If that’s the case, head back to where you purchased your E liquid in NZ and choose another that’s higher or lower.
Getting it wrong is not the end of the world, but don’t expect complete satisfaction as soon as you inhale for the first time. It may take some time to find the combination that works for you in the end.
