The debate rages on about the risks of vaping in the UK compared to picking up a packet of cigarettes from your local shop. While decades of research have highlighted the dangers of smoking to the general public, as well as to those in a passive nature, what can be said of vaping, which is still in its infancy in terms of research? We explore the pros and cons of vaping instead of smoking as an alternative recommended by health professionals (although not advised as a stand-alone product to use).   

Health Benefits of Vaping vs Smoking 

Vaping is often touted as a healthier alternative to traditional smoking, but can it improve your health after you quit smoking? It would be more prudent to go cold turkey and cut out nicotine completely (which is not a health risk on its own but can produce mild side effects, as well as being addictive).   

One of the main advantages of vaping is that it eliminates the combustion process that occurs with smoking, which releases harmful toxins and carcinogens into the lungs. Vaping also allows users to control their nicotine intake, which can be helpful for those looking to quit smoking. Additionally, some studies have suggested that vaping may be less harmful to the cardiovascular system compared to smoking. However, it’s important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the long-term health effects of vaping.   

 Potential Risks and Side Effects  

While vaping may have some potential health benefits, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and side effects associated with it. One of the main concerns is the lack of regulation and oversight in the vaping industry, which has led to the availability of products that may contain harmful substances. There have been cases of lung injuries and even deaths linked to vaping, although these incidents are speculation rather than direct proof, as medical researchers do not have concrete proof that a death or injury is solely linked to vaping compared to smoking.  

Additionally, there is concern about the appeal of vaping to young people, as it can serve as a gateway to traditional smoking. Nicotine addiction is also a potential risk, as some e-liquids contain high levels of nicotine. It’s important to weigh the potential benefits against the risks and make an informed decision about whether vaping is right for you.   

Cost Comparison: Vaping vs. Smoking  

One of the main benefits of vaping compared to smoking is the potential cost savings. Vaping can be significantly cheaper than smoking traditional cigarettes, especially in the long run. While the initial cost of purchasing a vaping device and e-liquids may be higher, the ongoing costs are generally lower. This is because e-liquids are typically cheaper than packs of cigarettes, and a single bottle of e-liquid can last for a longer period.   

In the UK, with the increases in tobacco tax, this has put the price of a pack of cigarettes up to an average of £12, depending on the brand. So even if vaping consists of more equipment, as a long-term alternative you will notice a difference in your bank balance.  

Additionally, there are often discounts and promotions available for vaping products, further reducing the cost. However, it’s important to note that the cost of vaping can vary depending on individual usage and preferences.   

Vaping Regulations in the UK  

In the UK, vaping is regulated under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. These regulations set out various requirements for the manufacturing, packaging, and sale of vaping products. For example, e-liquids must be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and meet certain quality and safety standards. Vaping products cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18, and there are restrictions on advertising and promotion of vaping products. Vapers need to be aware of these regulations and ensure they are purchasing and using vaping products that comply with the law.  

Final Thoughts  

There are several factors to weigh up whether it is the right decision to vape. Essentially, its core aim and purpose as a cessation tool is to help smokers quit, and it has done so for a few years now, with vaping numbers increasing and smoking numbers decreasing. While there are high costs sometimes associated with vaping devices and accessories, in the long run, it still works out cheaper than a smoking habit and is significantly better for your health. So hopefully this article has helped to point out why it is important for multiple reasons to put down the cigarette and try other alternatives to increase your chances of quitting smoking for good.  

As the years pass, the shocking truths about smoking cigarettes continue to highlight why it is not just bad for general health and those around you but also for the environment.   

With eight million lives a year lost globally from tobacco, that alone is enough evidence to suggest the danger that smoking poses.   

It’s the most littered item globally, with trillions of cigarette butts found in oceans, beaches and pathways each year. With that in mind, how bad is it for our planet and why? What can be done to reverse the damage and provide a better future?   

To understand this, we must look at the journey of making a cigarette to the trillions that are puffed each year and then disposed of.  

The Lifecycle of a Cigarette

With so many cigarettes in circulation each year, purchased and smoked daily and habitually as an addiction, a lot of space is needed to grow tobacco plants.   

To do this, 4.3 million hectares of land are used to produce cigarettes, culminating in the needless destruction of forests, harming biodiversity and degrading soil in the process.   

Estimates suggest 11.4 million metric tonnes of wood are cured to make tobacco. And in addition, 22 billion tonnes of water in tobacco production.   

Once the tobacco leaves are harvested, they undergo various processes to create the final product. From drying and curing to blending and flavouring, each step in the production process requires time, effort and local resources. The constant use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers contaminates the environment and wildlife.  

What About Its Impact on Wildlife?

These chemicals can end up in water bodies, affecting aquatic life and potentially entering our food chain. The majority of tobacco is produced in low and middle-income countries, challenging the environment and economy of its people.   

Then the world has to consider the chemical elements used in production and how they negatively impact the environment. They seep into water and soil, which is bad for not only human health but animals too.   

How cigarette butts impact wildlife is often overlooked as well. Animals, including birds, fish, and mammals, can mistake discarded cigarette butts for food or the right sort of materials to create a nest.  

Ingestion of these toxic waste products can lead to severe health issues and even death. Additionally, animals can become entangled in cigarette packaging and suffer injuries or suffocation. Something needs to be done about this fast to protect our wildlife and ecosystem.   

How Does Smoking Pollute the Air?

Not only does smoke damage your heart, arteries, lungs and several other areas of the body, but it also does significant harm to the air we breathe. Toxic emissions produced by tobacco on an annual basis are equal to roughly three million transatlantic flights!  

It impacts greenhouse gases and releases dangerous air pollutants like carbon monoxide and about 2.6 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide per year, as well as 5.2 billion kilograms of methane into the atmosphere.  

Even the transportation of tobacco leaves in the production process, while necessary for the industry, creates so much air pollution. Tobacco smoke produces higher particulate matter pollution than diesel exhaust, which highlights the risks faced when tobacco farms are created. And with second-hand smoke, smokers are also releasing thousands of dangerous toxins into the air, harming those in the vicinity.   

Toxins trickle into the earth slowly from cigarette butts, taking 14 years to do so, which are not biodegradable, plus the plastic filters damage the land too. Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic that can take years to decompose. As they break down, they release microplastics into the environment, further polluting our ecosystems. The impact and shift it has helped to create towards global warming is both clear and alarming.   

The packaging of cigarettes also contributes to waste and litter. The glossy cardboard boxes, plastic wrapping, and foil-lined inner packaging are often discarded improperly, adding to the growing problem of plastic waste. Improper disposal of cigarette packaging not only tarnishes our environment but also adds to the challenges of waste management, requiring additional resources to clean up and process.  

What Can Be Done to Combat This Threat to Our Environment?

The tobacco industry, perhaps feeling threatened by the decline in popularity and the rise of the vaping industry, is recognising the need for change. And so is the Uk government, with their goal to reduce smoking prevalence to below 5% by 2030. One of the key areas of focus is sustainable tobacco farming. By implementing organic farming methods and reducing the use of harmful chemicals, companies aim to minimise the impact on soil, water, and ecosystems. This is a step in the right direction.  

But more needs to be done by governments and regulatory bodies, who have a key part to play in addressing the environmental consequences of cigarettes. Stricter rules must be implemented across the board in all of the areas we have described above from deforestation and littering to tobacco farming and consumer behaviour and awareness.  

By supporting these alternative solutions and initiatives, consumers can make a difference. However, it is crucial for not just consumers but governments and organisations to support and not just talk the talk but walk the walk with action. Let us stub out the truth and pave the way for a healthier, more sustainable future.  

The debate rages between the worldwide sales of cigarettes containing tobacco vs e-cigarettes as a nicotine replacement. While the UK supports vaping with the world’s first ‘swap to stop’ scheme, countries such as Australia are taking a different approach.   

With the plan to make e-cigarettes prescription-only, what does this mean for the vaping industry, not just down under but worldwide? Will other countries follow suit? Did the UK not get the memo about the risks of vaping to their population of roughly 60 million?  

Australia Tackling Youth Vaping With Biggest Reform in Decades;

In one of the biggest news stories regarding the jostle between smoking and vaping in some time, Australia has made an interesting announcement. Instead of following the same pro-vaping message emitting out of the UK, that it’s a better alternative to smoking, Australia is banning the importation of vaping products which are not prescription. And that even includes those without nicotine.

The thinking process behind this is to curb the teenage issue of inhaling vaping products underage. In addition, rules to minimise attractive packaging and colours for e-cigarettes, as well as flavours and ingredients will hopefully reduce the chances of children and their fascination with vaping. Another way they plan to do this, which is a significant step, is to ban all single-use disposables.  

How Do These Rules Differ From the UK?

Currently, the UK is fighting a different battle. While there is still negative press about vaping in the media, and certainly regarding youth vaping which is understandable, generally medical organisations and the UK government back e-cigarettes as a better alternative. While Australian Health Minister Mark Butler states the tobacco industry is trying to “create a new generation of nicotine addicts through vaping”, it’s quite a claim to make considering there is no tobacco in nicotine e-liquids for vaping.   

Organisations like the NHS recognise the risks of vaping and they do not advise non-smokers to try them, but suggest it is better to vape and quit smoking for your overall health. Studies suggest it contains much less damaging chemicals to the body than smoking.  

Smoking vs Vaping Statistics

There is indeed an issue with vaping among youth. Even in the UK, there is evidence to suggest more than 10% of young people between the ages of 11-15 years old have tried vaping, which is a serious concern. How are they getting hold of them to use when purchases can not be made legal until reaching the adult age of 18? So in this respect, it is good that Australia is tackling this problem.   

However, in the same process of making vaping products prescription only, where are they turning rebellious children? In essence, they may be turning many back towards smoking, which is interestingly not facing the same strict measures. As far as we know, you can still buy cigarettes in Australia without a prescription. In fact, sales in US dollars amount to 11 billion in 2023.    

There are still just under 6 million adult smokers and around 200,000 underage smokers each year in the UK. While there is limited evidence of the long-term risks of vaping, so far there have been no deaths caused directly by e-cigarettes. In contrast, for decades medical research has pinpointed how tobacco in cigarettes kills roughly seven million each year and that is expected to reach 10 million by 2030. So to take such strong measures in Australia towards vaping and not do the same with cigarettes seems ludicrous. Granted tobacco tax is one of the highest worldwide to try to reduce cigarette sales, but removing disposables completely may turn the youth of Australia back towards cigarettes.   

Will the UK Follow Australia?

At the moment it looks unlikely. The swap-to-stop scheme is evidence of that, as they introduced a measure in the complete opposite direction, offering free vapes to the UK public as part of a programme to reduce smoking numbers by 2030. Because they’re seeing the impact smoking is having on the British public, behavioural support will also be offered to help remove the addictive habit. Below are a few medical resources that back up the overall message from the UK that vaping is a better alternative:   

1. https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/vaping-to-quit-smoking  

2. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/smoking-and-cancer/is-vaping-harmful  

3. https://www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/insights/the-truth-about-vaping  

4. https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/stop-smoking/vaping  

5. https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/vaping-substantially-less-harmful-than-smoking-largest-review-of-its-kind-finds   

The UK is taking another step forward as the pioneer in anti-smoking legislation with the announcement of the ‘Swap to Stop’ scheme. This initiative involves giving out one million free vape kits to share among the six million current smokers in the UK. Costing £45 million to the taxpayers, which will be funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, the latest drive to stop smoking by the UK government will also include behavioural support and a range of other measures. 

Why Smoking Statistics Have Accelerated the Need for This Scheme

You may be wondering why the UK government is backing a product like an e-cigarette that in many cases also contains an addictive substance like nicotine, which is similar to cigarettes. The curiosity is natural but the evidence is clear.  

Of the two, organisations like the NHS and Cancer Research UK claim that neither is good for your health but vaping is a better alternative if you’re a current smoker that’s finding it difficult to quit. 

Let’s face it. Cigarettes kill millions globally each year. They are the number one preventable cause of death, with UK Health Minister Neil O’Brien suggesting as much following the Swap to Stop scheme announcement. 

If you only vape e-liquids, they do not contain tobacco, which when combustible causes damaging effects to your lungs and body. And there are thousands of dangerous unknown toxins too. While e-cigarettes are not risk-free as we mentioned, the ingredients are much clearer; nicotine, a mixture of Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerine (both are used in chemical food and medical production) and sweeteners.  

But the lack of long-term evidence of any potential damage means we cannot say for certain one way or another about the impact of vaping on the human body. What medical experts are saying is it’s less of a risk than smoking – which we know can be fatal. Hence the swap to stop scheme.  

Swap to Stop – What Will £45 Million Be Spent on?

As well as one million vape kits being given to the public, the government has a few plans to help in their target of reducing smoking rates to below 5% by 2030. They want to put the wheels in motion so that once the scheme is up and running, local authorities will eventually have their say on which parts of each region can be prioritised for vape kits and verbal support. 

In addition, funds will be dedicated to helping pregnant women who still suffer from smoking addiction. Vouchers up to the amount of £400 are planned by the end of 2024 for the 1 in 10 that still smoke while carrying a child. The government wants to put less strain on the health of the UK population and the NHS.  

Also, there will be the creation of not just behavioural support to help those wanting to quit smoking, but there is another idea to include mandatory positive messaging and information inside cigarette packets, as another way to help smokers quit. 

And What About Underage Vaping? 

Another area the government has set their sights on is tackling the worrying issue of underage vaping, which is on the rise. A budget of £3 million is planned to create an ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad’. This group will not just enforce rules on the vaping industry but also prevent any illegal purchases to minors of vaping accessories and equipment, whether that’s in vape stores or online sales. 

NHS figures highlighted that in 2021 vape use from children aged 11-15 years old was up to 9%, compared to 6% in 2018. Working together with Trade Standards, the illicit vapes enforcement squad will help to reduce this statistic.  

However, while it’s good that money is dedicated to tracking illegal sales of vape products, hopefully, this does not turn adults and particularly children back towards smoking, when prevalence numbers for cigarettes are at their lowest (13% in 2021). Fingers crossed that the latest initiative created by the UK government encouraging adult vapers to quit cigarettes through free e-cigarette kits is effective. 

The reason behind this blog is to provide a source of informative content that helps people quit smoking, by using vaping as a safer cessation tool without combustible tobacco or the buildup of tar in the lungs. While we know that the motive is often there for smokers to give up cigarettes, the actual task is much harder unless you have the right kit. A large number of factors make a huge difference when you start; getting the right e-liquid, understanding coil technology, getting a similar throat hit to cigarettes and much more. The list goes on and the challenge is difficult to quit smoking if you don’t have the right vape in place. It needs to mimic smoking and remove all the nasty toxic chemicals (up to 7000 unknown chemicals in each cigarette). Today we look at the Voom pod kit to see if it’s hit the nail on the head as a vape kit for smokers looking to quit.

Voom Pod Kit Key Features

• Compatible with Voom nic salt pods or can be prefilled with any e-liquid
• Auto-inhale meaning no buttons or complications!
• Unique coil technology
• Two USB charger types – one with a cable and another that slots straight into your laptop or USB port without a cable
• Charges fully in less than an hour

Voom Pod Kit Performance and Design

This is one of the closest pod vape systems you will use that mirrors the familiarity of a cigarette. Sleek and thin with a sturdy plastic casing, it resembles a larger handheld USB stick that fits comfortably in the hand. With a 320mAh battery, this explains the compact size of the vape pod. How long it lasts depends on how often you vape. It can last up to a day without charging if you use it less frequently.

Factor in the handy portable Voom charger case which houses the battery to charge when you place the Voom inside highlights its practicality as a kit alongside the charger. This device will perform well for anyone looking to quit smoking because of the reasonably restrictive mouth to lung draw which resembles a cigarette but gives a smooth intake and exhales, thanks to the 20mg nic salt pods. You get the right delivery of nicotine, more than enough per hit to satisfy any cravings and certainly smoother than traditional nicotine you’ll find in most devices. 

The flavour is fantastic, with nine options to choose from including traditional flavours such as tobacco and mint. In terms of colour, you are a little more limited with gold and grey to choose from. Nonetheless, both look great in the hand while out and about.

How to Use the Device

Unlike more advanced vape mods with adjustable settings such as power, wattage, voltage or temperature, the Voom is straightforward and set up for beginner vapers. All you do is take the device out of the packing, which should have a pod preinstalled, with the intricate coil technology already designed inside so you don’t need to concern yourself with that. It’s auto-draw so all you have to do is inhale on the mouthpiece like you would a cigarette. The pod once empty removes with ease thanks to the magnetic attachment. Once you click the new pod back in, the LED indicator will light up.

Technical Details

• Dimensions – 110mm x 75mm x 21mm
• Weight – 16.2g
• 1.2ml pod capacity
• 320mAh battery
• Short-circuit protection
• Overcharge protection
• Overtime protection for smoking
• Low-voltage protection
• Blowback protection

 

Verdict

This is a fantastic little device. An ideal kit for any beginner vaper or even a smart backup for someone with more experience behind the vape. You’ve got a generously tight draw when you vape, as well as a 320mAh battery that can easily charge. Whether that’s with the case on the go or under an hour with the cable. You also have heavily protected safety functions listed above, for peace of mind. In addition, it’s lightweight for a portable option – whatever your level. With so many flavours to choose from and it offering magnetic nic salt pods or a refillable choice for vapers, the Voom delivers on multiple counts.

Every vaper’s experience will be different, as will their journey to finding the right equipment and accessories. Some start off with a clear idea of which device they want to use and which e-liquid they like the taste of, while it takes others a longer period of experimenting with different options. Whether this process is long or short, the beauty of it is that it’s completely personal to the user and will result in them fine-tuning their vaping experience to their own preferences.

There are no rules when it comes to which device you should use or which e-liquid you should vape, which makes experimenting all the more fun. With vape juice, there are so many different options and flavours to choose from, you could probably have a different one for each day of the year! But, if you’ve tried a lot of different flavours, you’re likely on the search for something new and exciting. If that’s the case, have you ever considered mixing e-liquids?

Combining two different flavours of vape juice to create a unique and bespoke flavour is the next step in experimentation. You may not be able to find that perfect pre-existing flavour or feel like something is missing from tastes you’ve tried before. That’s where mixing comes in, opening up a whole new world of taste combinations to reignite your passion for juicy flavours!

What to Consider When Mixing E-Liquids

Mixing e-liquids to create new flavours has become popular amongst vapers looking to further customise their experience. Experimenting with different combinations allows vapers to find a custom flavour that they otherwise would not have been able to try. This can help bring back the excitement of trying new flavours and for those who can’t find a liquid which they like, a combo may just deliver that perfect taste. However, when it comes to mixing flavours, you can’t jump in blind without considering a few things first.

One of the things which you have to take into account is the balance of the liquids you’re mixing. This requires some careful thought into the e-liquids that you mix, and adapting your ratios depending on which flavours you’re using. Getting the balance right is key, as different flavours have different strengths and, depending on the volume of flavours you’re adding, certain e-liquids could overpower your other flavours. Doing some research into the ingredients in different juices and exploring how various flavours can complement each other is a good place to start.

Another important factor to consider is the PG (Propylene Glycol) and VG (Vegetable Glycerine) ratio and the volume of each e-liquid you choose to mix. The PG/VG ratio of the liquid you use will differ depending on which style of vaping you opt for. For example, if you’re a sub-ohm vaper,  you are likely to be vaping a high VG e-liquid with low nicotine content. If you were to then mix this with a high PG e-liquid that had a higher nicotine content but continued to use your low resistance vaping device, you could produce an unpleasant throat hit, and hamper your ability to create large clouds of vapour. This is why it’s crucial to know the properties of each liquid you’re mixing and how they will react with the type of device you use.

How to Mix E-Liquids

It’s best to start small and work your way up to larger quantities once you get the hang of it. Make sure to keep a record of which juices you’ve used and the quantities that you’ve added, as this will allow you to adapt your recipe and recreate it. When choosing your liquids, check their PG/VG ratios before you begin mixing otherwise you risk contaminating batches and creating a poor match. Next up is choosing your flavours and deciding on the best combos for mixing.

Once you’ve picked your different e-liquids and mixed them, give the bottle or container a shake to make sure they’re mixed properly. When the combination is fully mixed, it’s time for the taste test. To begin, only insert a small amount into your tank to make sure you like it, the last thing you want is a full tank coated with a liquid which you hate the taste of. Once it’s in the tank, take a few puffs to see if you like it. If so, fill the rest of your tank up or if not, you get the opportunity to explore more flavours.

The key to combining e-liquids is choosing flavours that complement each other. Here’s some vape juice recipes we would recommend:

Chocolate & sweets – Chocolate goes well with zesty, fruity flavours when creating food, so have a go at translating this across. Typically chocolate and orange, strawberry or raspberry all make a great combination.

Vanilla & coffee – Vanilla is a great base flavour due to its subtle but sweet flavour, it does a great job at accentuating other stronger flavours. For example, it’s the base flavour of most ice cream, so it’s a great one to build upon. By choosing a coffee flavour to pair with vanilla, you get a much sweeter version of that bitter coffee bite.

Banana & caramel – Some of the best e-liquid mixes are ones that recreate delicious desserts and take advantage of a range of flavours. By mixing banana and caramel you can recreate banoffee pie! Or, swap the caramel flavour for a nutty-tasting juice, to recreate the flavour of banana bread.

Tobacco & cherry – Using the classic tobacco flavour as a base and pairing it with various sweet fruits such as cherry can create a very nice tasting liquid. Make sure to use sweeter fruit flavours though, as tangy fruits such as lemon or lime won’t balance out the bitterness of the tobacco flavour.

Peach & green tea – By pairing green tea flavours with various fruity tastes, you can recreate various flavours of tea. By mixing peach with green tea you can create a refreshing summer flavour that resembles peach tea.

Mint & chocolate – Mixing minty and chocolatey flavours is a classic and has been a favourite combination of many for years. Mint choc chip ice cream is a popular choice, so why not attempt recreating it in vape juice form?

Fruit & fruit – There are no strict rules to mixing juices, just rough guides that can point you in the right direction. While you can choose flavours that subtly enhance one another, there is also the option to go all out and create a fruit smoothie. Combining rich, fruity flavours could be a one-way ticket to a taste sensation and a pure explosion of flavours, but you won’t know until you try.

Strawberry & lemon – Some of the best flavour combinations are the ones that produce a pleasant, refreshing taste and what’s more refreshing than strawberry lemonade? By mixing these two, you could have a juice which becomes your brand new summer favourite!

Choosing the Right E-Liquids to Mix

There really are endless flavour combinations when it comes to mixing e-liquids and there are a variety of flavours to experiment with when searching for that perfect blend. Taking separate standalone flavours and using them to create a juice with an exciting flavour profile is one of the best parts of the vaping experience for lots of users. Trying everything from minty flavours to dessert flavours and various other options in between allows you to work your way through a long list of potential flavour combinations.

However, you must always remember, while giving your taste buds a treat is ticking one box, the liquid must work with your device and the nicotine strength can’t be too strong if you have a low resistance coil. If these other factors aren’t considered or your measurements are incorrect it can result in an extremely unpleasant vaping experience. It’s also important to note that this isn’t a green light to create a DIY e-liquid as this can be very dangerous. You should always use vape juice that has been created by a reputable brand in line with safety guidelines. Because of these safety measures being so important, be sure to use only high-quality e-liquids.

If you’re using vaping as a tool to quit smoking, the more enjoyable the experience is, the more likely you are to kick the habit for good. You need to look at finding the right device, the right e-liquid strength to match your current nicotine intake, and flavours that you will enjoy. These are all key factors to your own successful vaping journey. Mixing e-liquid flavours allows you to create the flavour profiles you will enjoy the most. Whether it’s chocolate with a kick of mint, or fruits and caramel, you can experiment to match your tastes as you need. You could also try using different amounts to add subtle hints of flavours rather than just having a 50/50 blend. Make sure to keep a note of your favourite mixes so you know how to create them again.

If you’re looking for the latest advice to help you quit smoking for good, be sure to check out our Stop Smoking Blog.

When an innovation arrives on the vaping scene, it’s easy to be sceptical. After all, it isn’t always easy to tell which refinements will meaningfully improve vaping and which changes will… well, prove to be mere fads. However, it looks like nic salts could be here for the long haul. What exactly are nic salts?

Alternatively known by its full name “nicotine salts”, they aren’t – unlike what the name might have led you to believe – crystals. Instead, they represent a change to the familiar nicotine formula and could provide you with your smoothest vaping yet.

How Nic Salts Differ From Freebase Nicotine

If you are familiar with smoking, you probably also know about nicotine… or so you think! You might not have realised that the pure, freebase nicotine in standard cigarettes does not grow in tobacco leaves, which instead harbour only nicotine salts, as Vaping Daily explains.

In those leaves, the nicotine bonds with particular acids, resulting in a significantly more stable molecule: a nicotine salt. Nic salts come in various forms, depending on the type of acid to which the nicotine bonds – whether that acid is citric, lactic, malic or something else.

None of those salts appear in either conventional cigarettes or standard vape juice. Freebase nicotine is formed through the addition of ammonia to the nicotine to make it more addictive – a recipe upon which tobacco companies stumbled as long ago as the 1960s.

How it Emerged in the Vaping Industry

The re-emergence of nic salts into the mainstream can ultimately be attributed to PAX. This is the company responsible for conceiving the JUUL pod vaping system. In 2015, PAX was marketing JUUL pods to people seeking to quit smoking. The firm had an interest in replicating the smoking experience.

Therefore, PAX bonded nicotine to benzoic acid to produce a nic salt that. As confirmed by research, rivalled freebase nicotine in its ability to maximise nicotine’s concentration in blood plasma.

Interestingly, this form of nicotine also had the side effect of lowering the vapour’s PH value. It therefore enables a significantly smoother vape. This meant that vapers of this nic salt could enjoy a strong e-liquid that wouldn’t leave them with coughing fits.

How should you vape nic salts?

Nic salts in their vape-ready form give vapers a strong nicotine hit while they used small, portable devices. Indeed, the JUUL system is such a device. Nevertheless, you don’t strictly need a JUUL to effectively use these nic salts. Any lower-power device and tank setup will suffice.

If you are an avid smoker looking to quit, the 20MG limit is just what you need. After giving up cigarettes. you need convenience. Nic salts act faster than freebase to enjoy nicotine. Even flavoured nic salts are available!

Taken from the tobacco leaves like traditional nicotine, nic salts plus a variety of organic components enters the bloodstream at a quicker rate. Merging with other chemicals, adding benzoic acid makes the difference. It drops the PH level, meaning it’s not as harsh on the throat, leaving you feeling satisfied when vaping.