How Many Cigarettes in a Vape?

How Many Cigarettes in a Vape?

The number of cigarettes equivalent to a vape depends on the type of device, nicotine strength, and how it's used. For disposables, most 600-puff vapes are often marketed as being roughly equal to 20 cigarettes—the equivalent of one pack. This comparison is based mainly on nicotine delivery, not the number of puffs or inhalations. However, this is only an estimate and can vary widely between users.

Vaping delivers nicotine differently from smoking. While cigarettes burn tobacco to create smoke, vapes use e-liquid and heat to create vapour. That means the delivery is smoother, more efficient, and often absorbed more gradually in the bloodstream.

Nicotine Content: Vape vs Cigarettes

A typical cigarette contains about 10 to 12mg of nicotine, although you usually absorb only 1 to 2mg per cigarette through inhalation. Most 600-puff disposable vapes contain 20mg/ml of nicotine salts in 2ml of e-liquid—the UK legal limit—amounting to 40mg of nicotine total in the device. This doesn’t mean you absorb all 40mg; absorption through vaping is more controlled and depends on how deeply and frequently you inhale.

So, in terms of potential nicotine delivered, a full 600-puff vape can be compared to a full pack of cigarettes—though how that nicotine is absorbed and felt varies significantly.

Puff Count Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story

It’s easy to assume that one puff of a vape equals one puff of a cigarette, but that’s not how it works. Vapes deliver nicotine more slowly, and users tend to take shorter, more frequent puffs compared to the longer drags typical of cigarette smoking. This means someone might take more puffs overall to achieve the same level of satisfaction they’d get from one cigarette.

The way you inhale—mouth-to-lung (MTL) or direct-to-lung (DTL)—also affects how much nicotine you absorb. MTL vaping, which mimics the cigarette experience, usually results in lower vapour but more effective nicotine delivery for smokers transitioning to vaping.

Refillable Vapes and High-Capacity Devices

For users with refillable kits, nicotine content depends entirely on the e-liquid they choose. For example, a 10ml bottle of 20mg nicotine salt e-liquid contains 200mg of nicotine total, which could be the equivalent of 100 to 200 cigarettes, depending on how it's vaped. However, refillable devices tend to offer lower nicotine concentrations (3mg, 6mg, or 12mg), as they produce larger vapour clouds and deliver nicotine more efficiently per puff.

This is why heavy smokers switching to refillables often start with higher nicotine levels, then gradually reduce their intake while still feeling satisfied.

Why It’s Not a Perfect Comparison

Although many manufacturers use cigarette comparisons to help users understand what to expect, it’s important to remember that vaping and smoking are different experiences. Cigarettes have a fixed start and end. You smoke one, then stop. With vaping, there’s no set limit—users can take as few or as many puffs as they want, which can make it harder to track consumption.

That’s why the “how many cigarettes in a vape” question can only be answered in general terms. It’s more accurate to focus on nicotine levels and usage patterns rather than puff counts alone.

Why Nicotine Hits Differ Between Vaping and Smoking

One of the biggest differences between smoking and vaping is how nicotine is absorbed. Cigarettes deliver nicotine rapidly into the bloodstream through the lungs, offering a sharp and immediate hit. Vapes, particularly those using nicotine salts, offer a smoother delivery that absorbs slightly more slowly, but stays in the system longer.

This means even if the total nicotine content in a vape is equivalent to a pack of cigarettes, the sensation and speed of satisfaction might feel different. Some users take more frequent puffs with a vape to chase the same immediate “rush” that cigarettes provide—especially early in the switch from smoking.

Puff Efficiency and User Behaviour

With a cigarette, each puff burns more tobacco, whether you're inhaling or not. But with a vape, the device only heats the coil when you activate it, making the system more efficient in terms of nicotine usage. That said, many people vape more frequently throughout the day—especially if they’re in situations where smoking wouldn’t have been allowed.

This can lead to accidental overuse, where someone who used to smoke 10 cigarettes per day finds they’re finishing a 600-puff vape in a single day. It's not that the vape contains more nicotine—just that it's more accessible and easier to use repeatedly.

Why Puff Count Isn’t a Reliable Measurement

Puff counts are best viewed as a rough guideline rather than a strict measure. The 600-puff figure commonly found on UK disposables is based on short, gentle puffs under controlled lab conditions. In real life, people take longer, deeper draws, especially if they’re used to the stronger throat hit of a cigarette.

This means your disposable may not actually give you 600 puffs. It may last 300 or 400 before it runs out, and that’s still considered “normal.” It’s also why comparing puffs to cigarettes can feel inconsistent—because smoking habits are structured, while vaping is often more continuous.

Psychological and Habitual Factors

Smoking a cigarette is a fixed ritual—light up, smoke it, and it’s finished. Vaping removes that structure. This changes how people perceive their intake, which can make it feel like you’re vaping more than you used to smoke. The freedom to vape anywhere and the discreet nature of devices also means people sometimes underestimate how much they’re using.

This is why nicotine comparisons alone can be misleading. For those trying to quit, it helps to create boundaries—such as using the vape only during certain times of day or after meals—to regain a sense of control similar to what they had with cigarettes.

Final Word

Most 600-puff disposable vapes are roughly equal to 20 cigarettes in nicotine delivery, but how that translates to your experience depends on how often and how deeply you vape. The device type, e-liquid strength, and your individual habits all play a role. While the comparison helps with understanding usage, vaping is not a one-for-one substitute for cigarettes. It's a different system—and often a stepping stone to reduce or quit nicotine altogether.