So you made the switch to vaping. You bought the device, picked a flavour, and told yourself this was it — no more cigarettes. But a few days in, something felt off. The cravings were still there. Maybe you even found yourself reaching for a cigarette again and thought, “I guess vaping just isn’t for me.”
Here’s the thing. It probably wasn’t the vape. It was the nicotine strength.
Nobody Talks About This Enough
When most people switch to vaping, they focus on the device, the flavour, the price. Nicotine strength? It’s almost an afterthought. You grab whatever’s on the shelf, or you go low because it sounds like the “healthier” option, and then wonder why it’s not working.
But nicotine strength is actually the most important decision you’ll make when switching. Get it wrong in either direction and vaping will never truly replace cigarettes — no matter how good the flavour is.
When Your Nicotine Is Too Weak
This is one of the biggest mistakes new vapers make.
Many smokers start with a low nicotine strength because they think it’s the “healthier” option. But if the nicotine is too weak, your cravings don’t fully go away.
You keep reaching for your vape, taking puff after puff, but something still feels missing. That’s usually when cigarette cravings start creeping back in.
You may notice things like:
- Constant cravings even after vaping
- Feeling unsatisfied
- Chain vaping all day
- Wanting “just one cigarette”
- Feeling like vaping isn’t working
Your brain is still looking for the nicotine level it was used to from smoking.
When Your Nicotine Is Too Strong
On the other hand, going too strong can ruin the experience too.
Some people buy the highest nicotine strength thinking it will help them quit faster. But too much nicotine can feel harsh and uncomfortable, especially if you weren’t a heavy smoker before.
Signs your nicotine may be too strong:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Harsh throat hit
- Feeling lightheaded after a few puffs
Instead of helping you switch comfortably, the vape starts feeling unpleasant.
So What Strength Should You Actually Be On?
Here’s a simple way to think about it based on how much you used to smoke:
If you smoked 20+ cigarettes a day – You’re a heavy smoker and your body is used to a serious amount of nicotine. Start at 18mg to 20mg. Don’t let anyone talk you into going lower straight away — your body needs that level to feel satisfied.
If you smoked around 10 to 20 a day – You’re a moderate smoker. The sweet spot for you is usually somewhere between 12mg and 16mg. Enough to take the edge off without being overwhelming.
If you smoked fewer than 10 a day – You were a lighter smoker, so you don’t need as much. Try starting at 6mg to 10mg and see how you feel.
If you only smoked occasionally – A low strength of 3mg to 6mg should be plenty. You never had a heavy habit to begin with, so you don’t need much to feel satisfied.
Nic Salts vs Freebase — What's the Difference?
This part confuses a lot of people so let’s keep it simple.
Freebase nicotine is what you find in most standard e-liquids. It works well but at higher strengths it can feel quite harsh on your throat.
Nicotine salts (or nic salts) are smoother. They deliver nicotine more like a cigarette does — faster and cleaner. If you’re a heavier smoker and you’ve been finding high-strength freebase a bit rough, nic salts are worth trying. They give you the satisfaction you need without the harshness.
It's Okay to Adjust
Here’s something important — your first choice doesn’t have to be your final choice. Most people need a little trial and error to find what works for them and that’s completely normal.
If you’re still getting cravings, try going up a strength. If things feel too intense, come down a little. Think of it less like a fixed decision and more like a dial you’re slowly tuning until it feels right.
The goal is simple — you want to vape and feel satisfied enough that a cigarette doesn’t even cross your mind. When you hit that point, you’ll know you’ve found your strength.
The Bottom Line
Nicotine strength is not just a number on a bottle. It’s the thing that determines whether vaping actually works for you as a cigarette replacement. Too low and your cravings never go away. Too high and the experience feels awful.
Most people who “tried vaping and it didn’t work” were simply on the wrong strength. They didn’t fail — they just never got the right information.
Now you have it. So if you’ve been struggling, don’t give up. Adjust the strength, give it a fair chance, and you might be surprised at how different the experience feels.
Final Thoughts
If vaping still feels unsatisfying, don’t assume it “doesn’t work.”
In many cases, the real issue is that your nicotine strength simply isn’t matched to your smoking habits.
Too weak? You keep craving cigarettes.
Too strong? You feel uncomfortable.
But when you find the right balance, the experience changes completely.
Ready to find your perfect strength? Browse our full range of e-liquids and nic salts at nemohomes.co.uk