A Guide to Nicotine Salts
1st March 2023
Most e-liquid contains what is known as ‘freebase’ nicotine. Nicotine can be found in many plants, even in some common vegetables, but is found in particularly large amounts in tobacco leaves.
In tobacco it is found in the form of salts, which contain other compounds and protons as well as nicotine. These salts are processed to remove these additional elements and the result is a freebase nicotine which is more easily absorbed by the lungs and reach the brain.
Nicotine Salts
Nicotine salts are the natural form nicotine occurs in. When treated in a specific way, this nicotine is able to be vapourised at a lower temperature, is more easily absorbed by the body and has a lower ph level compared to freebase nicotine.
Why choose nicotine salts?
Because it is more easily absorbed, nicotine salt based e-liquid provides a stronger ‘hit’ and allows the user to feel satisfied more quickly than with conventional e-liquid.
The lower ph level also means that nicotine salts are smoother on the throat than freebase nicotine, allowing users who find regular e-liquid too harsh to vape without experiencing a throat ‘hit’.
Using nicotine salts can provide more nicotine with less vaping by allowing the user to inhale vapour more comfortably and delivering nicotine more efficiently.
All these factors mean that nicotine salts can be a great option for anyone who has struggled to transition from smoking to vaping without coughing from the throat hit, or users who simply need to feel the effect of the nicotine more quickly.
Is it safe?
Public Health England, the NHS, Cancer Research UK and the Royal College of Physicians agree - all credible research (and there is a lot!) shows that vaping is at least 95% safer than smoking.
While the research so far has focussed on freebase nicotine, nicotine salts are considered to potentially be even safer than regular e-liquid as they are able to satisfy nicotine cravings with less vapour inhalation and don’t require a high-powered device.
Although nicotine salt is absorbed by the body more quickly than freebase, there is no evidence to suggest that it is more addictive.
Why wouldn’t everyone choose nicotine salts?
Not everyone will benefit from nicotine salts and some users will actively prefer traditional freebase options. The main reasons for this are:
1. Some people prefer to feel the ‘throat hit’ that freebase e-liquid provides, which is often thought of as very similar to the feeling you get from a drag on a cigarette. Nicotine salt is much smoother and has significantly less throat hit, and this won’t suit everyone.
2. Some people like to vape and they like to vape often. Because nicotine salts deliver nicotine more rapidly and don’t need to be used as often, they won’t be the best match if you are the kind of person who loves to vape all day long.
3. For some people, the quick and effective nicotine delivery that nicotine salts provide may simply be too much, especially if that person was a light smoker or vaper.
What kind of device do I need to use nicotine salts?
Any low powered, refillable device will work fine with nicotine salts and this is important – the high nicotine content and ability to be absorbed rapidly by the body mean that powerful sub-ohm devices are unnecessary.
The Voopoo Vinci SE, Aspire Flexus Q and Joyetech eGo 510 are great kits and ideal to use with nicotine salt e-liquids, but almost any low power MTL device will work well.
Check out our Beginner Kits section if you'd like to see the full range.
How can nicotine salts help me if I want to reduce my nicotine use?
Because nicotine salts are so much smoother to inhale they allow you to choose a lower nicotine strength while setting your device to a higher power setting without causing any harshness. If your aim is to lower your nicotine use, doing this allows for a more gradual reduction by first using a higher power setting to make up for the lower nicotine, then turning down the power slowly over a period of time to reduce the amount of vapour.
Once back to your original power setting, you could again choose a lower strength eliquid and repeat the process as you work down to the level you are happy with - right down to zero should you wish.
Where can I buy nicotine salts?
We suggest you start with our popular JUICEBAR range of e-liquids, which includes 20 of our tastiest ever flavours in 20mg, 10mg, 5mg and 0mg nicotine options.
Or you could try Absolution Salts, our brand new nicotine salt range featuring 12 of the most popular flavours from our best selling Absolution Shortfill range
Not sure what strength nicotine to choose?
We've written a useful guide to help you make the right choice which you can find HERE
(Updated 01/03/23)
