The Rise of Nicotine Salts in Vaping

 

 

Nicotine salt, commonly known as salt nicotine, nic salt, or salt nic, represents a significant development in the vaping industry. Its introduction has sparked curiosity and numerous questions among vapers and industry observers alike. To demystify this innovation and provide a clearer understanding, we have compiled a comprehensive timeline that traces the journey of nicotine salt from its inception to its current status in the vaping world.

 

Nicotine salt differs fundamentally from the freebase nicotine traditionally used in vaping liquids. This form of nicotine is closer to the natural state in which nicotine is found in tobacco leaves, and it has been praised for providing a smoother throat hit and more rapid absorption into the bloodstream, akin to the experience of smoking a traditional cigarette.

 

The Discovery and Early Research: Delving into the initial discovery of nicotine salt and the groundwork for its use in vaping products.

 
Market Introduction: Documenting when nicotine salt first entered the market, the initial reception from the vaping community, and how it began to shape consumer preferences.

 
Advancements and Innovations: Chronicling subsequent innovations in nicotine salt formulations, including improvements in stability, potency, and the introduction of various flavour profiles.

 
Current Trends and Future Outlook: Analyzing current trends in the use of nicotine salts, how they have influenced vaping habits and product development, and predictions for their future role in the industry.

 

By presenting this timeline, we aim to offer a thorough and informative overview of nicotine salt's evolution, helping vapers and those interested in the vaping industry to better understand this important component of modern vaping products.

Nicotine originates from the nightshade family of plants, including tomatoes, eggplants and the most relevant to us tobacco. Tobacco has been used by humans since at least 6000 BC, whether for recreational purposes such as smoking, traditional medicines or tribal rituals.

 

It wasn’t until the discovery of the Americas in 1492 and the later trade established between the Americas and Europe that Tobacco became known to the rest of the world. By the 16^th Century Tobacco became known in almost every country in Europe. With Portuguese sailors planting tobacco at nearly every single port it soon spread further.

 

For hundreds of years the only way to consume nicotine was by burning or chewing tobacco leaves, many people didn’t know of or believe that it was harmful.

 

 It wasn’t until the 20^th century that scientists, doctors and health professionals started to reveal the negative effects of tobacco use mostly stemming from the tobacco leaves themselves. Leading to cancer, strokes, heart disease and many more complications.

 

These revelations lead many people to wonder, “Well what do I do?” and it wasn’t until 2003 that people would get the answer. A scientist by the name of Hon Lik, spurred on by the death of his father to lung cancer, would devise a way of consuming nicotine without the harmful side effects of smoke inhalation, thus the first vape was born.

 

One of the key issues when developing the first vape was actually how to get the naturally occurring nicotine from the tobacco leaf to vaporise at a safe temperature. This is as tobacco burns up to 900 degrees Celsius, and the medium chosen (Vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol) would vaporise at a much lower 300 degrees Celsius. The breakthrough had actually occurred years beforehand in the 1960’s, and it was done by the tobacco companies themselves when they were trying to add more nicotine to cigarettes, by taking the naturally occurring nicotine and adding ammonia, this produced what is now referred to as freebase nicotine.

 

All of this made the nicotine useable in a vape (Yay!), but there was a problem, freebase nicotine has a pH of around 7-8, this can lead to irritation on the throat. More importantly it means it takes longer to enter your blood stream, so higher strengths were needed for heavy smokers but were far too harsh on the throat for many people to use.

 

That’s where Nicotine Salts come in, finally. Nic salts are actually closer in form to naturally occurring nicotine found in tobacco leaves. It’s made by adding a weak organic acid, like salicylic acid or benzoic acid, to freebase nicotine; this forms a salt compound (not the same stuff as table salt, don’t worry it won’t affect your sodium intake or make juice taste salty). This process leads to two key features that make nicotine salts appealing, one by making the result far more available to our bodies and far less harsh on your throat and two allowing nicotine salts to be vaporised at the same temperature as freebase nicotine.

The debate over who originally utilized nicotine salts and who propelled them into mainstream popularity remains a contentious topic, with two primary perspectives: the tobacco industry pioneers and the vaping sector innovators.

Starting with the tobacco industry, Vuse, a producer of vape liquids, devices, and disposables, stands out. Operating under the umbrella of British American Tobacco (BAT), a conglomerate known for brands like Pall Mall and Camel, Vuse asserts its early adoption of nicotine salts in their vape products dating back to 2012. However, they maintained silence on their use of nicotine salts to preserve a competitive edge in the market.

 

Conversely, the rise of JUUL, emerging from Pax Labs—a Californian cannabis research and product company—marks a significant turn in the narrative. JUUL is widely credited with popularizing nicotine salts within the vaping community, transforming them from a closely guarded industry secret to an essential component for enthusiasts.

 

The clincher in this debate for many is JUUL's patent, secured in 2015, for their unique process of synthesizing nicotine salts, a development that passed uncontested. It was only in the wake of JUUL's patent announcement that BAT came forward with their history of nicotine salt usage, sparking further discussions on the origins and popularization of nicotine salts in the vaping industry.

The enhancement in nicotine absorption rates marks a pivotal advancement in vaping technology, providing users with a nicotine experience akin to smoking traditional cigarettes. This closer mimicry to the nicotine delivery of cigarettes is reported by many to offer a more gratifying and satisfying sensation.

 

A notable advantage of nicotine salt is its distinctive pH level, which sets it apart from traditional 'freebase' nicotine. Freebase nicotine often features a higher pH, which can lead to a harsher throat sensation upon inhalation. This harshness not only compromises comfort but can also overshadow the intricate flavour profiles of the e-liquid, diminishing the overall vaping experience.

 

Nicotine salt, with its reduced pH level, offers a markedly smoother inhalation. This gentler experience enhances the ability of the vaper to discern and appreciate the nuanced flavours of the e-liquid. Furthermore, the molecular composition of nicotine salt facilitates a more efficient absorption of these flavours, leading to a taste experience that is both richer and more complex.

 

The advent of disposable vaping devices has been significantly influenced by the incorporation of nicotine salt. These convenient, use-and-discard products are often prefilled with nicotine salt e-liquid, combining ease of use with the potent and satisfying vaping experience nicotine salt is known for. This integration has not only made disposables a popular choice among users seeking convenience but has also underscored the pivotal role of nicotine salt in advancing the vaping industry.

Amid the growing deliberations over a potential prohibition on disposable vapes in the UK, attention is increasingly being diverted to closed system pod kits. These devices, which operate with pre-filled pods, are emerging as the favoured alternative for vaping enthusiasts, offering a blend of convenience and a smaller environmental impact.

 

This shift is reflective of a broader trend towards sustainability and responsibility in vaping practices. Closed system pod kits not only address waste concerns associated with disposables but also provide a user-friendly experience that doesn't sacrifice quality. Their pre-filled nature ensures a consistent and high-quality vaping experience, mirroring the simplicity disposables are known for but in a more eco-friendly format.

 

Moreover, the vaping industry is witnessing a surge in the popularity of double flavour concentrate in Nic Salt e-liquids, drawing inspiration from the robust flavour profiles characteristic of disposables. This trend towards enhanced flavour experiences, often referred to as disposable flavoured e-liquids, is gaining momentum. The heightened demand for these richly flavoured Nic Salt e-liquids suggests a potential shift in industry standards, with a strong possibility of becoming a widespread expectation among consumers.

 

This evolving landscape indicates a significant transformation in vaping preferences and practices, with a clear move towards more sustainable options and an enhanced flavour experience. As these trends continue to unfold, they could redefine the norms for e-liquid manufacturing, aligning with consumers' desires for both environmental stewardship and superior taste profiles.