Jessica Tyson
29/04/2025 • 5 min read
Disposable vapes have become a hugely popular alternative for smokers transitioning away from cigarettes, and Lost Mary in particular has become a leading choice among users.
A crucial consideration for those considering or having recently made the switch is: how many cigarettes is a Lost Mary equivalent to?
Having an understanding of this can help users manage their nicotine intake and make informed decisions about vaping as an alternative to smoking. In this guide, we’ll break down the comparison between Lost Mary vapes and traditional cigarettes, considering factors like nicotine content, puff count, and cost.
The nicotine content in a cigarette can vary significantly by brand and type, and a single cigarette can contain anywhere between 6 and 28 mg of nicotine. On average, a cigarette contains about 10 to 12 mg of nicotine.
However, it’s crucial to understand that not all of this nicotine is absorbed by the body. Typically, an individual will inhale roughly 1.1 to 1.8 mg of nicotine per cigarette, meaning that a standard pack of 20 cigarettes results in an estimated nicotine intake of 22 to 36 mg.
Lost Mary disposable vapes come with 20 mg/ml (2%) nicotine salt e-liquid in a 2ml pod, meaning each device contains 40 mg of nicotine in total. Nicotine salts allow for a smoother throat hit and quicker absorption, making them a preferred option for those seeking a cigarette-like experience.
Another key factor in comparing Lost Mary vapes to cigarettes is puff count. A traditional cigarette typically offers approximately 10–15 puffs before it has been fully consumed. Lost Marys, depending on the model, are designed to deliver around 600 puffs per device.
To illustrate the difference in puff quantity, one Lost Mary device (approximately 600 puffs) would provide a similar number of inhalations as roughly 40 to 60 cigarettes. This means that, in terms of sheer puff count, a single Lost Mary could potentially last as long as two to three packs of cigarettes (20 per pack) for some users.
However, it's crucial to understand that simply comparing puff counts does not equate to a direct comparison of nicotine intake or overall experience. The way nicotine is delivered and absorbed differs significantly between smoking a cigarette and using a vape, which we’ll explore next.
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Cigarettes deliver nicotine rapidly through combustion, releasing it into the lungs and allowing it to reach the bloodstream within seconds of inhaling, resulting in a quick and intense nicotine spike. Vaping, on the other hand, especially with nicotine salts, also offers quick absorption, but at a slightly slower rate than cigarettes.
This means that regardless of containing the nicotine equivalent of two to three packs of cigarettes, actual nicotine intake from a Lost Mary will vary based on individual vaping habits, such as puff duration, frequency, and inhalation depth.
While vaping can certainly satisfy nicotine cravings, the experience is not identical to smoking due to these differences in absorption, and making these direct comparisons often oversimplifies a variety of contributing factors.
One of the biggest reasons smokers consider switching to vaping is the potential cost savings. Cigarettes are heavily taxed, and prices continue to rise, making them an expensive habit.
As of January 2025, the average price of a pack of 20 cigarettes in the UK is £16.45. For a pack-a-day smoker, that adds up to:
Considering the approximated 600 puffs of a Lost Mary equate to around 40-60 cigarettes, we'll use 50 for calculations. However, once again, it's crucial to understand that nicotine absorption and the overall experience vary significantly between vaping and smoking.
With a Lost Mary costing £3.49 per device, a pack-a-day smoker would need around 10 Lost Marys per week.
In terms of costs, this equates to:
If a smoker switches from £16.45 daily cigarette packs to Lost Marys at £3.49 each, they could save:
Switching from cigarettes to Lost Marys could therefore reduce smoking costs by over 70% per year. This is a huge financial benefit for smokers looking to cut down their expenses while still satisfying their nicotine cravings.
When considering these cost comparisons, it's important to remember two things: firstly, that heavy vape users may increase their consumption and therefore their expenses, while lighter users may find even greater savings; and secondly, that refillable vape systems, despite an initial investment, often yield even more significant long-term cost reductions compared to Lost Marys, due to the lower price of e-liquid.
Financial reasons for considering a switch to vaping are one thing, but health reasons are another, and arguably a more important aspect to consider.
Traditional cigarettes burn tobacco, producing smoke that contains tar, carbon monoxide, and thousands of harmful chemicals. In contrast, vapes like Lost Mary heat e-liquids to create vapour, eliminating combustion and in turn, reducing the production of many toxic substances. Due to these significantly lower levels compared to tobacco smoke, Public Health England (PHE) has estimated that e-cigarettes are around 95% less harmful than traditional smoking.
It's important to note that while vaping is less harmful than smoking, it is not entirely risk-free. Nicotine, needless to say, is an addictive substance, but in the context of providing a smoking cessation tool for adult smokers who are struggling to quit, vaping is often recommended by health organisations as a harm reduction strategy.
After having explored the relationship between Lost Marys and traditional cigarettes, we've outlined potential financial and health considerations that may be relevant to your decision regarding a switch over to vaping. Ultimately, however, the decision is a personal one.
We hope this information has provided you with a clearer understanding of the key factors involved, enabling you to make informed choices regarding your nicotine consumption.
