In a traditional hookah lounge, every smoker pulls differently. Some take short, gentle sips — holding the smoke in their mouth before letting it drift upward. Others draw deep and slow, filling their lungs in a single pull. That same choice exists in the world of electronic hookah devices. It comes down to two draw styles: MTL and DTL. If you are also wondering is hookah bad for you, we cover the health facts in detail.
If you own an Olit Hookalit — or you are thinking about getting one — this distinction matters more than you might expect. Your draw style changes the flavor intensity, throat hit, cloud size, and even how many puffs the device delivers before the e-liquid runs out.
This guide breaks down both styles, explains which one mimics the traditional hookah draw more closely, and shows you how to adjust the airflow on the Olit Hookalit Pro 60K and Tarot 40K to match your preference.
What Is MTL Vaping? The Mouth-to-Lung Draw
MTL stands for Mouth-to-Lung. You pull vapor into your mouth first, hold it for a moment, then inhale it into your lungs. It is the same motion you would use when sipping through a straw or drawing on a traditional hookah hose.
How MTL Feels
The draw is tight and restricted. Air moves through a narrow channel, creating resistance that slows the airflow. This produces a noticeable throat hit — that slight catch at the back of the throat that many former hookah and cigarette users find satisfying.
Vapor production in MTL mode is moderate. You will not get massive clouds, but the flavor concentration is higher because the vapor sits in your mouth longer before reaching your lungs. Mint, apple, and citrus notes come through sharply.
Who Prefers MTL?
- Hookah smokers who take measured, social puffs
- Users who prioritize flavor over cloud volume
- Anyone who wants to stretch their device — MTL uses less e-liquid per puff
- Vapers who enjoy a stronger throat hit at lower wattage
On the Olit Hookalit Pro 60K, MTL mode runs at approximately 18W with the 0.5-ohm LIT mesh coil, delivering up to 60,000 puffs.
What Is DTL Vaping? The Direct-to-Lung Draw
DTL stands for Direct-to-Lung. You inhale vapor straight into your lungs in one continuous pull — no pause in the mouth. Think of taking a deep breath of fresh air, or pulling from a wide-bore hookah hose with the purge valve open.
How DTL Feels
The draw is open and airy. There is little resistance, and the vapor flows freely. Cloud production jumps up significantly — this is the mode that produces thick, visible plumes. The throat hit is softer because the vapor disperses across a larger lung surface area.
Flavor in DTL mode feels broader but less concentrated. You taste the full spectrum of a blend — the background notes that MTL might miss — but each individual note is less sharp. Creamy and sweet profiles like Watermelon Strawberry Melon or Sweet Passionfruit often shine in DTL.
Who Prefers DTL?
- Cloud chasers who enjoy visible vapor production
- Users who prefer a smooth, warm, airy draw
- Anyone who likes the immersive feeling of a full lung hit
- Vapers who favor sweet, layered flavor profiles
On the Olit Hookalit Pro 60K, DTL mode runs at approximately 22W with the same 0.5-ohm coil. The higher wattage and increased airflow consume more e-liquid, bringing the total puff count down to around 35,000. On the Tarot 40K, DTL delivers roughly 20,000 puffs compared to 40,000 in MTL.
MTL vs DTL: Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | MTL (Mouth-to-Lung) | DTL (Direct-to-Lung) |
|---|---|---|
| Inhale Method | Mouth → pause → lungs | Straight to lungs |
| Airflow | Tight, restricted | Open, airy |
| Throat Hit | Stronger | Softer |
| Vapor/Cloud Size | Moderate | Large |
| Flavor Character | Concentrated, sharp | Broad, layered |
| E-Liquid Consumption | Lower | Higher |
| Puffs (Pro 60K) | ~60,000 | ~35,000 |
| Puffs (Tarot 40K) | ~40,000 | ~20,000 |
| Wattage (Pro 60K) | ~18W | ~22W |
| Closest Hookah Feel | Traditional sipping draw | Deep, open pull |
Olit Hookalit 40K Tarot Edition
From Hookah Lounge to E-Hookah: Which Draw Style Feels Like Traditional Hookah?
This is the question that most vape guides skip entirely, and it is the one that matters most if you are coming from a hookah background.
A traditional hookah produces warm, dense smoke that travels through water before reaching the hose. When you pull from a hookah hose, you typically use a mouth-to-lung motion — drawing smoke into your mouth, tasting it, then inhaling slowly. The water filtration cools the smoke and adds a slight resistance to the draw. That resistance is a defining part of the hookah experience.
MTL mode on the Olit Hookalit replicates this feel more closely than DTL. The restricted airflow creates the same type of resistance that a properly packed hookah bowl produces. The vapor sits in your mouth long enough to register the shisha-inspired flavor notes — the Two Apple, the Gum Mint, the Blackcurrant Ice — before you inhale.
That said, not every hookah smoker uses the same technique. In many Middle Eastern and North African hookah traditions, experienced smokers take a modified draw that falls somewhere between MTL and DTL. They pull gently but continuously, letting smoke flow into the lungs without a hard stop in the mouth. This style is closest to what the vaping world calls RDL — Restricted Direct Lung. It is a middle ground: tighter than DTL but more open than strict MTL.
The Olit Hookalit airflow slider lets you dial in this exact sweet spot. Position the slider about 40% open, and you get an RDL-style draw that feels remarkably close to pulling from a quality hookah with fresh coals and a well-packed bowl. You keep the flavor depth of MTL while gaining a bit more vapor density.
According to the New York State Department of Health, understanding how you use any inhalation device matters for making informed decisions as an adult consumer. The draw style directly affects the amount of vapor per puff, and being aware of this helps you manage your usage patterns.
How to Adjust Airflow on the Olit Hookalit
Both the Pro 60K and the Tarot 40K have an adjustable airflow slider on the bottom of the device. This is the single control that switches your experience between MTL and DTL — and everything in between.
Step-by-Step Adjustment
- Locate the slider. Flip the device over. You will see a small sliding mechanism on the base, next to the charging port.
- Slide fully closed for the tightest MTL draw. The airflow hole narrows to its smallest opening.
- Slide fully open for DTL. The airflow channel widens completely, and the draw becomes loose and airy.
- Find your middle ground. For an RDL (hookah-style) draw, position the slider roughly 30-50% open. You will feel the resistance drop slightly from full MTL, but the draw should still have noticeable body.
There is no wrong setting. The slider is designed for on-the-fly adjustment — you can tighten it for solo use when you want concentrated flavor, then open it up at a gathering when you want bigger clouds for the social element.
Flavor and Draw Style: Which Mode Brings Out Hookah Flavors Best?
The Olit Hookalit lineup draws heavily from traditional shisha flavor profiles. Two Apple, Gum Mint, Blueberry Mint, and Blackcurrant Ice are all rooted in hookah culture. How you draw affects how these flavors present themselves.
MTL and Sharp, Single-Note Flavors
MTL mode excels with flavors that have one dominant note. Two Apple — the most popular shisha flavor worldwide — delivers its anise-apple punch best on a tight draw. The vapor lingers in your mouth, and the flavor registers on your palate before you inhale. Gum Mint and Strawberry Ice follow the same pattern: the primary note hits hard, and the cooling finish arrives clean.
DTL and Layered, Complex Blends
DTL mode is better for multi-layered blends where you want to catch every component. Watermelon Strawberry Melon has three distinct fruit notes that unfold more naturally on an open draw. Sweet Passionfruit and Mango Freeze — where tropical sweetness meets ice — feel more immersive in DTL because the broader airflow lets all the layers arrive simultaneously.
A good rule of thumb: if the flavor name has one fruit or one mint note, try MTL first. If it lists two or more ingredients, start with DTL or RDL to let the blend develop on the inhale.
Puff Count Economics: How Draw Style Affects Your Device Lifespan
This is one of the most practical differences between MTL and DTL, and almost no guide talks about it in concrete numbers.
The Olit Hookalit Pro 60K is rated at 60,000 puffs in MTL mode. Switch to DTL, and that number drops to approximately 35,000 puffs. That is a 42% reduction. On the Tarot 40K, the gap is even steeper: 40,000 puffs (MTL) versus roughly 20,000 (DTL) — a 50% drop.
Why does this happen? DTL draws more air and vapor per puff. The coil fires at a higher wattage (22W vs. 18W on the Pro 60K), and the open airflow means each puff consumes more e-liquid. You are getting bigger clouds, but you are burning through the reservoir faster.
If you vape daily and want the device to last as long as possible, MTL is the more economical choice. If cloud production and a smooth draw matter more to you than longevity, DTL is worth the trade-off. And if you switch between settings throughout the day — MTL for solo sessions, DTL at social gatherings — expect a puff count somewhere in between.
According to the California Health and Human Services Agency, adult consumers benefit from understanding how device settings affect usage volume. Being mindful of your draw style helps you stay in control of your consumption patterns.
Picking Your Draw Style: A Quick Decision Framework
| If You… | Start With | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Are coming from hookah/shisha | MTL or RDL (~40% open) | Closest match to hookah resistance and sipping rhythm |
| Want maximum puff count | MTL (airflow closed) | Uses less e-liquid per pull |
| Care most about cloud size | DTL (airflow fully open) | Open draw = more vapor volume |
| Vape single-note flavors (mint, apple) | MTL | Flavor concentrates in the mouth before inhaling |
| Vape blended flavors (tropical, creamy) | DTL | Open draw lets layers develop together |
| Want low throat hit | DTL | Vapor disperses across lungs, softening the hit |
| Want strong throat hit | MTL | Restricted airflow amplifies the catch at the back of the throat |
| Switch between solo and social use | RDL (adjust as needed) | The slider is built for on-the-fly changes |
Find Your Draw Style Today
The Olit Hookalit Pro 60K and Tarot 40K both feature adjustable airflow for MTL, RDL, and DTL draws. Ships from our West Sacramento, CA warehouse.
For a detailed breakdown of what 0.35% nicotine actually means and how it compares to traditional hookah tobacco and cigarettes, see our nicotine delivery differences guide.
Order YoursFrequently Asked Questions
Traditional hookah is closest to MTL or RDL (Restricted Direct Lung). Most hookah smokers pull smoke into their mouth first, then inhale — which is the MTL motion. However, experienced hookah users often take a slightly more open draw that falls into the RDL range. On the Olit Hookalit, setting the airflow slider to about 30-40% open replicates the feel of a standard hookah session.
MTL typically delivers more concentrated flavor because the vapor lingers in your mouth before you inhale. Single-note flavors like Two Apple and Gum Mint taste sharper in MTL. DTL produces a broader flavor profile where you taste multiple layers at once — better for complex blends like Watermelon Strawberry Melon. Neither is objectively "more flavor" — they are different flavor experiences.
Both the Pro 60K and Tarot 40K have a sliding airflow control on the bottom of the device. Slide it fully closed for the tightest MTL draw, or fully open for DTL. You can stop at any point in between for an RDL draw. The adjustment is mechanical — no buttons or menus — so you can change it on the fly.
MTL gives significantly more puffs. On the Pro 60K, MTL delivers approximately 60,000 puffs versus roughly 35,000 in DTL — a 42% difference. On the Tarot 40K, the gap is 40,000 (MTL) versus about 20,000 (DTL). DTL uses more e-liquid per puff because the coil fires at higher wattage with an open airflow channel.
Yes. The airflow slider allows you to switch freely between MTL, RDL, and DTL at any time. There is no need to change coils, refill e-liquid, or reset the device. Simply slide the control to your preferred position and take a draw. Many users tighten it for daily solo use and open it up for social settings.
RDL stands for Restricted Direct Lung. It sits between MTL and DTL on the draw spectrum — you inhale directly into your lungs, but the airflow is partially restricted so there is still some resistance. The Olit Hookalit's adjustable slider supports RDL by letting you set the airflow opening to roughly 30-50%. It is the draw style closest to a traditional hookah session.