Do You Inhale Vape the Same Way as Cigarettes?

CraveVape
Dec 4, 2025
3 min read

Short Answer: Not exactly. While both involve inhaling vapor or smoke into your lungs, vaping and smoking require different techniques to get the most out of your experience.

Understanding how to properly inhale vape can enhance flavor, reduce harshness, and optimize nicotine delivery—especially if you're switching from cigarettes to vaping.

Let’s break down the differences and explain how to inhale vape properly.

How Cigarette Inhalation Works

When smoking cigarettes, the technique is typically Mouth-to-Lung (MTL):

Smoke is first drawn into the mouth.
It's then inhaled into the lungs.
Exhaled through the nose or mouth.

Cigarettes burn tobacco, which creates harsh smoke. Most smokers take short, soft puffs to avoid irritation and maximize nicotine absorption.

How Vaping Inhalation Works

Vaping involves heating e-liquid, not burning it. The result is a smooth vapor, not smoke. Because of this difference, vaping allows for more flexible inhalation methods:

You can take longer and slower draws.
There’s less throat irritation (especially with nicotine salts).
You’ll likely need to adjust how hard and how fast you puff.

Understanding your device type and nicotine strength matters here.

MTL vs. DTL: Two Vaping Inhalation Styles

When it comes to vaping, you’ll hear these two terms a lot:

🚬 Mouth-to-Lung (MTL)

Similar to cigarette smoking.
Draw vapor into your mouth, then inhale into your lungs.
Best for beginners, ex-smokers, and nicotine salt e-liquids.
Found in pod systems, lower wattage devices.

🌬️ Direct-to-Lung (DTL)

Inhale vapor straight to the lungs like taking a deep breath.
Creates bigger clouds and stronger flavor.
Best for experienced vapers, low-nicotine e-liquids, and high-wattage mods.
Found in sub-ohm tanks or advanced devices.

Which Inhalation Style Is Best for Beginners?

If you’re new to vaping or switching from cigarettes, start with Mouth-to-Lung (MTL). It feels more natural, gives a satisfying throat hit, and works well with higher nicotine levels (like 12mg–20mg salt nic).

Here are some beginner-friendly devices:

Uwell Caliburn series
Level X Boost G2
STLTH pods
Crave Salt Nic e-liquids

For DTL, you'll need lower nicotine (usually 3mg–6mg) and a device with greater airflow.

How to Inhale Vape Properly (Step-by-Step)

Here’s a guide for each style:

✅ MTL (Mouth-to-Lung)

Press the button (if needed) or inhale from the mouthpiece.
Draw vapor into your mouth gently for 2–4 seconds.
Hold briefly, then inhale into your lungs.
Exhale through your nose or mouth.

✅ DTL (Direct-to-Lung)

Use a high-power device with low nicotine e-liquid.
Inhale deeply through the mouthpiece straight to your lungs (3–6 seconds).
Exhale slowly and enjoy the cloud.

🛑 Note: Don’t "puff" on a vape like a cigarette—it won’t activate properly, especially with draw-activated devices.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Switching from cigarettes to vaping? Don’t fall into these traps:

❌ Puffing Too Hard

Hard pulls can flood the coil or cause spitback. Vape draws should be slow and steady.

❌ Holding Vapor Too Long

You don’t need to hold vapor like cigarette smoke. Nicotine absorbs almost instantly in the lungs.

❌ Choosing the Wrong Nicotine Strength

High nicotine in a DTL device = harsh throat hit and dizziness. Match your device and e-liquid properly:

MTL + salt nic (12–20mg)
DTL + freebase (3–6mg)

❌ Chain Vaping

Vapes need time between puffs to prevent coil burnout. Give 15–30 seconds between hits.

Final Thoughts

No, you don’t inhale vape the exact same way as cigarettes—but the transition is easier than you think. Understanding the difference between MTL and DTL, along with choosing the right device and nicotine level, makes vaping a smoother and more enjoyable experience.

Whether you're trying to quit smoking or just exploring your options, Crave Vapes has the right tools, e-liquids, and expert advice to guide you every step of the way.

FAQs

👉 Can I inhale vape like a cigarette?

Yes, MTL vaping mimics the sensation of smoking. It’s ideal for new users.

👉 Why does vaping feel different than smoking?

Vapor is cooler and smoother than smoke. That’s why puffing techniques need to adjust.

👉 Should I use salt nicotine or freebase?

Salt Nicotine: Higher strength, smoother hits, good for MTL.
Freebase: Lower strength, stronger throat hit, good for DTL.

👉 Is it OK if I cough when starting to vape?

Yes! It’s common when switching. Your body is adjusting to vapor instead of smoke. Try lowering your nicotine or switching devices.

👉 What’s the best vape for ex-smokers?

Look for draw-activated pod systems with salt nic e-liquids. Try brands like Crave, STLTH, or Uwell Caliburn.