One very important thing that many vape users, beginners or experienced alike, fail to consider in choosing their devices is nicotine strength. Nicotine strength level in E-liquids determine the "hit" or satisfaction you would get from vaping. Too low nicotine strength can be unsatisfactory, while too high nicotine level could be overwhelming. Take note that nicotine is an addictive substance. Therefore, being informed about it is the responsible thing to do.
Nicotine Strength Measure
Nicotine strength is measured in milligrams per millilitre (mg/mL). Sometimes, to easily understand it, manufacturers also represent nicotine strength in percentage. New Zealand law requires nicotine strength to be shown in mg/mL. To put this into perspective, a 10mg/mL e-liquid means that there are 10 milligrams of nicotine for every millilitre of e-liquid. So, let's say you bought a 100mL E-liquid bottle, based on our example, 1% of it is nicotine.
New Zealand's legal limits
Under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Regulations, e-liquid sold in New Zealand can't exceed:
- 20mg/mL for freebase nicotine e-liquids.
- 28.5mg/mL for nicotine salt e-liquids used in reusable, refillable devices.
All products sold in New Zealand should stay within these limits, so you won't legally find anything stronger than 28.5mg/mL. Sale and consumption of products that are outside these limits is punishable by law.
Standard Strength Ranges
The image above shows the standard strength ranges for vape products sold in New Zealand.
- 0mg — nicotine-free, for those who want to experience vaping without nicotine.
- 3–6mg/mL — a lighter strength, the day-to-day variant, often used by long-term vapers or those who vape frequently throughout the day.
- 10–12mg/mL — a mid-range strength, common for moderate use.
- 18–20mg/mL freebase / 20–28.5mg/mL nicotine salts — the higher end of the legal range.
Things to Consider in Determining Nicotine Strength
- Frequency. How often do you vape? Or how often do you plan to vape? If you are a frequent user who vapes throughout the day, lower strength is advisable to control exposure to nicotine as it adds up every puff.
- Device Type. Mouth to lung pod systems that are usually paired with nicotine salts are at moderate to higher strength. This is your go to if you prefer higher concentration but is not advisable for frequent users. Direct to lung mod devices use freebase liquids that are on the lower strength range. So if you are a frequent user, this is advisable for you.
- Draw Feel. If your draw hits a little too hard, it might be good to switch to a liquid or device with lower strength levels. If it feels quite underwhelming, then you might need to switch to a higher one.
- Start in the middle. If you're not sure which strength suites you, start on mid-range levels. From there, you can either tune it up or down, depending on your preference.
Final Note
New Zealand law on vape products requires all manufacturers and retailers to properly indicate nicotine levels on the package label. Always check the product before buying it. Make sure it complies with government standards.
Sources
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not promote vaping or any specific product. Vaping products are restricted to adults 18+ under New Zealand's Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act.