Vaping has become a very popular way for smokers to enjoy their nicotine hit while reducing the risk that follows cigarettes. The disposable 5,000-puff vapes stand out as some of the most widespread, allowing users to enjoy nicotine for days without having to worry about refills.
The popularity of vapes has led to comparisons and questions. In this article, we’ll answer the question of “How many cigarettes is 5,000 puffs?” by comparing factors like nicotine content and the amount absorbed from these products.
How Many Cigarettes Are in a 5,000 Puff Vape?
On average, a single cigarette lasts 10–15 puffs. Using this information, we can calculate that a 5,000-puff vape will amount to approximately 385 cigarettes or about 19 packs.
You should keep in mind that this is based on the average number of puffs. This number may drastically change depending on the cigarette, as well as the user.
Source: Basil MK
How Much Nicotine Is in 5,000 Puffs?
While understanding the number of puffs can give you a general idea of how long a 5,000-puff vape might last, knowing how much nicotine it contains provides a clearer comparison.
A single cigarette contains 10–12 mg of nicotine, and there are 20 cigarettes per pack, equaling 200–240 mg of nicotine per pack.
Calculating the nicotine content of a vape is more complicated. Different models can contain differing amounts of e-liquid, and e-liquid is available in several nicotine concentrations.
As an example, an Innokin 5,000-puff vape contains about 16 ml of e-liquid with a nicotine strength of 50 mg per ml or 5% nicotine strength. So, this brand’s 5,000-puff vape contains 800 mg of nicotine, which is about three or four packs.
Although 5% nicotine-strength vapes are the most common, they are also the most potent commercially available product. If you prefer a milder option, you can find 2% and 3% varieties, which will provide you with a similarly satisfying but less intense experience.
The difference in strength may seem small at first glance, but it becomes more significant when it’s observed as the total nicotine content, as shown in the table:
| Strength | Total Nicotine for 16 ml Vape | Cigarette Equivalent |
| 2% | 320 mg | 27–32 |
| 3% | 480 mg | 40–48 |
| 5% | 800 mg | 67–80 |
When put side by side, these numbers look very high, but there’s one more factor to account for when comparing vapes and cigarettes—the amount of nicotine that is successfully absorbed.
Source: Miguel Arcanjo Saddi
How Much Nicotine Do You Absorb from 5,000 Puffs?
Knowing the nicotine content of a product gives you a good idea of what’s stronger and how much you can expect it to last. However, understanding how much nicotine successfully enters your bloodstream can provide you with a better idea of your daily nicotine intake.
For example, you only absorb 1.1–1.8 mg of nicotine from the 10–12 mg total contained in a cigarette, which is about 10%. This means that you get about 22–36 mg of nicotine per pack of cigarettes.
When trying to calculate the nicotine you get from a vape, you need to account for the vape model, coil strength, e-liquid nicotine content, and the length of each puff.
According to research done on 5% e-liquid JUUL vapes shows that nicotine absorption from vaping is around 50–75% of what you’d get from smoking cigarettes.
This means that you would successfully absorb roughly 60 mg of nicotine from an 800 mg vape, which is about the same as smoking nearly two packs of cigarettes.
Another thing to note is that as the strength goes down, so does the amount of absorbed nicotine:
- For 3% e-liquid: About 36 mg of nicotine would successfully enter your bloodstream from the 480 mg total
- For 2% e-liquid: Out of the 320 mg total, your body would successfully absorb about 24 mg of nicotine
How Do Vapes Compare to Other Nicotine Products?
While vapes are most commonly compared to cigarettes because of how they’re enjoyed, there are other alternatives to vapes. Smokeless products are the most common since they provide the same benefits without the hassle of lingering vapor or smoke after use, and most popular ones are:
- Nicotine pouches
- Snus
- Dipping tobacco
Source: Swenico
Nicotine Pouches
Nicotine pouches are small, discreet, and tobacco-free pouches that you place under your lip. They gradually release nicotine and flavor without the need for smoke or vapor. Instead of using tobacco, these pouches contain synthetic or plant-based nicotine, providing a similar effect to vaping. However, compared to vapes, nicotine pouches are much safer.
Nicotine pouches offer a wider range of strength options compared to vapes, with some brands providing strengths anywhere from 3 mg to over 45 mg per pouch. They’re also the most efficient option, with nearly 50% of the nicotine being absorbed, making them a more effective choice for those seeking a stronger, longer-lasting effect.
Snus
Snus is a smokeless nicotine product made from finely ground tobacco powder packed in a pouch you place under your lip, similar to a nicotine pouch.
Although using snus doesn’t involve inhalation of vapor thus minimizing minimal effect on your lungs, the tobacco inside of it still increases the risk of cancer or type 2 diabetes.
Like with vapes, you can find snus in a wide range of strengths, going from 3 mg to 45 mg of nicotine per pouch, making it a good option for new and experienced users. It’s also more efficient than both vaping and smoking, with about 32–37% of the total nicotine being absorbed into your bloodstream.
Dipping Tobacco
Dipping tobacco or dip is made from the tobacco plant that’s been either shredded or cut into long, thin strips. Because it’s a tobacco product, using dip is associated with all the common risks of tobacco products, like cancer and diabetes.
Using it isn’t as simple as vaping. To make the most of it, you need to pinch a small amount of dip and place it in your mouth, where you let it sit for up to 30 minutes while it releases nicotine. You can’t swallow your saliva during this time, meaning that, unlike vaping, using dipping tobacco in public is quite inconvenient.
Dip also offers some variety of nicotine content, going from 8 mg to 14 mg, but only 19% of it gets absorbed, making it more efficient than vaping but not much stronger than a cigarette.
How Do Nicotine Pouches Work?
When placed in your mouth, a pouch absorbs saliva until it’s wet enough, after which it starts steadily releasing nicotine and flavor for about 30 minutes. The nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucous membrane of your gum and mouth, providing an intense, long-lasting buzz.
Here’s what happens in your system from the moment you put in a pouch:
- Minutes 0–5: The pouch starts delivering nicotine into your system, but the buzz isn’t there yet
- Minutes 5–10: The nicotine starts working, and you begin feeling its effects
- Minutes 10–20: Blood nicotine level continues to increase, and you start feeling your focus sharpen and your mood improve
- Minutes 20–30: Most of the nicotine is gone from the pouch, your blood nicotine is at its peak, and the effects slowly start to fade
When the pouch is placed on your gums, you may feel a tingling sensation. This is completely normal and means that the pouch is working. The sensation should fade within a few minutes as your gums adjust.
Source: Swenico
How To Choose a Pouch Strength?
If you haven’t used nicotine pouches before, finding the right strength is complicated since the numbers don’t directly correlate to e-liquid nicotine content.
Follow this advice to make finding the pouch for you simpler and faster:
- Start low and move up: Your history of nicotine use can give you a good baseline, but the difference in delivery method means that it won’t necessarily translate well. Try using milder pouches and up the strength if you notice that the buzz isn’t as potent
- Follow your reactions: Even if you find a pouch that seems to match your tolerance, you can still react negatively to it. See how a nicotine pouch makes you feel, and remove it if you start experiencing side effects like dizziness or nausea
- Don’t overuse pouches: As you use nicotine products, your body builds a tolerance, meaning you’ll need more nicotine for the same buzz. Consistently increasing your nicotine intake can cause side effects and make nicotine dependency worse
Once you find the right strength, try sticking to it as long as it feels good. The best way to do this is to use pouches made by high-quality brands since their products must pass rigorous testing before entering the market, meaning they will perform as advertised.
Where To Find High-Quality Pouches of All Strengths?
If you’re looking for a trustworthy source of fresh, high-quality imported nicotine pouches, SnusBoss is your go-to place. Created and run by industry experts with over 10 years of experience, SnusBoss offers a carefully curated selection of premium nicotine pouches bound to deliver an exhilarating experience, both in terms of flavor and potency.
If you’re interested in switching from vapes to nicotine pouches, SnusBoss can make the transition easier by allowing you to pick from one of these premium brands:
| ZYN | Velo | Dope | GOAT | Denssi |
| Glitch | Hit | Oryx | Pik | Snatch |
| Pablo | Kozmo | Jäger | Kurwa | White Fox |
| Thor | Roger | Killa | Klint | Thunder |
| Siberia | Chapo | Paz | Kick | Skruf |
Buying from SnusBoss is a simple three-step process:
- Go to the online store
- Select your preferred brand, flavor, and strength
- Enter your payment and shipping information
That’s not all. If place an order for more than $249, you won’t pay a shipping fee. Also, if you can’t wait for your nicopods to arrive, SnusBoss offers an express shipping option that will get you your pouches in 2–3 days.
Source: Towfiqu Barbhuiya
What Are the Risks of Nicotine Pouches?
Although nicotine pouches are safer than other nicotine products, they’re not completely risk-free. In most cases, nicotine won’t cause health issues, but it could potentially make existing ones worse. However, most of the issues people encounter while using nicotine pouches stem from either incorrect use, a damaged pouch, or a pouch that is too strong.
Some of the most commonly reported side effects of nicotine pouches are:
- Burning gums: The tingling you feel when using nicotine pouches is caused by nicotine mildly irritating the mucous membrane as it is being absorbed. In some cases, this irritation can build up, causing inflammation and making your gums feel like they’re burning
- Sore throat: A slightly scratchy throat is a common, temporary side effect of using pouches. However, swallowing your saliva while you’re using nicotine pouches can expose your throat lining to increased amounts of nicotine, which can further irritate your throat, making it sore
- Nausea: Nicotine stimulates the vagus nerve, leading to increased amounts of stomach acid. In high enough amounts, stomach acid can irritate your stomach lining, leading to stomach pain and nausea
In most cases, you should remove the pouch as soon as something feels off, and then drink water to soothe your mouth and throat.
Precautions You Can Take
Encountering side effects from nicotine pouches is unlikely if you’re using them as intended, but a negative reaction can still happen. Here are some things you can do to ensure that every nicotine pouch experience is pleasurable:
- Switch pouch placement: Place each new pouch in a different spot—preferably on the other side of your face—to give your gums more time to recover and reduce the risk of gum inflammation or irritation
- Use one at a time: One pouch will be enough to feel a buzz if you’re using the correct strength. Using two or more pouches simultaneously places unnecessary stress on your mouth and body and makes you go through pouches more quickly. Needing more than one pouch is a sure sign you can try a stronger product
- Drink water: Nicotine works as a diuretic, meaning it will make you lose water more quickly. Maintaining hydration helps enhance the effectiveness and flavor of the pouches and prevents oral health issues caused by dry mouth
Featured image source: Dima Valkov
