A picture refilling a vape pod with e liquid

What are Nic Salts and How to Use Them: A Comprehensive Guide

Nicotine salts (often referred to as nic salts) have become increasingly popular among vapers seeking a smooth e liquid option. If you're new to the world of e liquids or thinking of switching from traditional freebase vape juices, it’s important to understand how nicotine salts work and how to use them for the best experience.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about nicotine salts - what they are, how they differ from freebase nicotine, and how you can incorporate them into your vaping routine. We’ll also discuss the ideal nicotine strengths, suitable devices, and why nicotine salts have gained such popularity.

What This Guide Will Cover:

What Nicotine Salts Are: Understanding the basics of nicotine salts and how they differ from traditional nicotine e-liquids.
How Nicotine Salts Work: The science behind nicotine salts and why they’re absorbed more efficiently.
Benefits of Nicotine Salts: Key reasons why nicotine salts are a popular choice for many vapers.
Choosing the Right Nicotine Strength: How to select the correct nicotine strength for your needs, in line with UK regulations.
How to Use Nicotine Salts: The best devices and methods for using nicotine salts.
Top Devices for Nicotine Salts: Recommended kits and pod systems that work best with nicotine salts.
Where to Buy Nicotine Salt E-Liquids: Find a wide range of flavours and nicotine strengths available at Haypp.

By the end of this guide, you will have a clear understanding of nicotine salts and how to make the most of them in your vaping experience.

What Are Nicotine Salts?

Nicotine salts are the naturally occurring form of nicotine found in tobacco leaves. They are different from the commonly used freebase nicotine, which has been chemically altered to make it suitable for vaping. The key distinction is that nicotine salts retain their natural chemical composition, making them smoother and more effective in terms of nicotine delivery.

The difference between nicotine salts and freebase nicotine lies in the presence of benzoic acid in nicotine salts. This helps reduce the pH level, making nicotine salts less harsh on the throat, even at higher nicotine concentrations.

Nic Salts vs E Liquids

So, what's the difference between nic salts and e-juice? In short, nic salts and e-juice differ in the type of nicotine they use and how they’re best enjoyed.

Nicotine salts, or nic salts, are e-liquids that use a modified form of nicotine for a smooth experience, even at higher strengths. They’re typically paired with lower-powered devices like pod systems, making them a convenient and efficient choice for many.

On the other hand, standard e-liquids, also called freebase nicotine e-liquids, use a more traditional form of nicotine. These are compatible with a wide range of devices, including higher-powered kits, and come in various VG (vegetable glycerine) and PG (propylene glycol) ratios, offering more flexibility in flavour and vapour production.

Both types are regulated under the UK’s Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, ensuring nicotine strengths don’t exceed 20mg/ml and that nicotine-containing e-liquids are sold in bottles no larger than 10ml.

Key Differences Between Nicotine Salts and Freebase Nicotine

- Absorption Rate: Nicotine salts are absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream compared to freebase nicotine.
- Nicotine Strength: Nicotine salts can be used in higher nicotine strengths, which are more suitable for smokers looking to transition to vaping.
- Vape Devices: Nicotine salts are best suited to low-wattage devices such as pod systems or mouth-to-lung (MTL) kits, while freebase nicotine is often used in higher-powered sub-ohm devices.

How Do Nicotine Salts Work?

Nicotine salts are absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly than freebase nicotine. This means that they can provide a more immediate effect when vaped. The benzoic acid in nicotine salts also helps reduce the pH level of the nicotine, which helps reduce irritation when used at higher nicotine strengths.

Nicotine salts are ideal for use in lower-powered devices, such as pod systems and MTL (mouth-to-lung) kits. These devices are designed to provide a more controlled vaping experience, ensuring efficient nicotine delivery.

Benefits of Nicotine Salts

There are several benefits to using nicotine salts, which is why they’ve become a popular choice for both new and experienced vapers:

- Smoother Throat Hit: The lower pH of nicotine salts means they’re much easier on the throat, especially when vaping at higher nicotine concentrations. This makes them perfect for those who want to avoid the irritation caused by traditional freebase nicotine.
- Fast Absorption: Nicotine salts are absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, meaning the nicotine effects will be felt almost immediately.
- Lower Power Vaping: Nicotine salts are often used in low-wattage, pod-based devices, which tend to produce less vapour than traditional sub-ohm tanks.

Choosing the Right Nicotine Strength

In the UK, all nicotine e-liquids are regulated under the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), which limits the maximum nicotine strength to 20mg/ml. This means that all nicotine salt e-liquids available in the UK must comply with this limit. When choosing nicotine salt e-liquids, it’s important to select strengths that are within these legal guidelines.

TPD-Compliant Nicotine Strengths

- 3mg – 6mg: Suitable for vapers who prefer a lower nicotine strength e liquid option.
- 10mg – 20mg: Ideal for those who want a stronger nicotine e liquid, with the 20mg strength being the maximum allowed in the UK.

How to Use Nicotine Salts

To get the best experience with nicotine salts, it's essential to use them with the right devices. Because nicotine salts provide a more effective nicotine delivery, they are best used with low-wattage devices, such as MTL kits and pod systems. These devices allow for a more controlled vaping experience and are designed to optimise the effectiveness of nicotine salts.

Recommended Devices for Nicotine Salts

MTL Kits (Mouth-to-Lung Kits): These kits mimic the sensation of traditional inhalation, ideal for those who prefer a tighter draw. MTL kits are best used with nicotine salt e-liquids, as they offer a controlled vaping experience.
Pod Systems: Compact and user-friendly, pod systems like the Elf Bar Elfa are excellent for nicotine salts. These devices are designed for low-wattage use, making them perfect for efficient nicotine delivery.

Avoid using nicotine salts with sub-ohm tanks or high-wattage devices, as these devices tend to produce too much vapour, which may not provide the desired effect when using nicotine salts.

Where to Buy Nicotine Salt E-Liquids in the UK

Haypp offers a wide selection of nicotine salt e-liquids in compliance with UK TPD regulations. Our collection includes a variety of flavours and nicotine strengths (up to 20mg) from popular brands such as Elfliq and Maryliq. Whether you're after classic flavours or more exotic flavour options, we have something to suit your taste.

We also offer a range of MTL kits and vape pods that are perfectly compatible with nicotine salts, ensuring you get the best vaping experience. Explore our range of nicotine salt e-liquids and devices at Haypp today to find the vape devices and e liquids to suit your preferences.