Nicotine strength is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — choices when buying a vape. Too low and you won't feel satisfied; too high and it can feel harsh or overwhelming. Here's how to find your sweet spot.
Understanding Nicotine Strength (mg/mL)
Nicotine concentration is measured in mg/mL (milligrams per millilitre), sometimes shown as a percentage. In Canada, Health Canada caps nicotine at 20 mg/mL for vaping products. Common strengths you'll see at Vaughan Vapes:
- 0 mg — Nicotine-free. All the flavour, none of the nicotine. Great for those who have stepped down or never wanted nicotine. Browse our Nicotine Free collection.
- 3–6 mg — Very low. Common for people who vape frequently throughout the day or have already reduced their nicotine significantly.
- 10–12 mg — Moderate. A good middle ground for lighter smokers or those stepping down.
- 20 mg (2%) — The maximum allowed in Canada and the standard for most disposables. Works well for moderate-to-heavy smokers transitioning to vaping.
What's Salt Nic?
Salt nicotine (salt nic) is a form of nicotine that delivers a smoother throat hit at higher concentrations, making 20 mg much more tolerable than it would otherwise feel. Most modern disposables use salt nic — that's why you can vape 20 mg without it feeling harsh. We covered this in more detail in our article What is Salt Nic?
A Simple Guide by Smoker Type
| Your background | Recommended strength |
|---|---|
| Never smoked, just curious | 0 mg |
| Light smoker (under 10/day) | 10 mg |
| Moderate smoker (half a pack) | 20 mg |
| Heavy smoker (pack+/day) | 20 mg — the legal maximum in Canada |
| Trying to quit nicotine | Start at your current level, step down over time |
Tips for Getting It Right
- Start lower than you think — you can always try a higher strength next time.
- If you get headaches or feel dizzy, the strength is too high.
- If you're not feeling satisfied, try vaping more frequently or move up to the next strength.
- Disposables make it easy to experiment since you're not locked into a large bottle of e-liquid.
Explore all our Disposables to find options in your preferred strength, or check our Nicotine Free range if you're stepping down.
Must be 19+ to purchase vaping products in Ontario.