The use of vaping (electronic cigarettes) has increased significantly in recent years. Although e-cigarettes have been proposed as an effective smoking cessation tool, dual use among smokers is common, and e-cigarettes are widely used by non-smokers, including adolescents and young adults who do not smoke.
Nicotine, the main addictive ingredient in tobacco, is present in varying amounts in many e-liquids. E-cigarettes may lead to the initiation of nicotine use in non-smoking adults and adolescents, the re-initiation of nicotine dependence in former smokers, or an increase in nicotine dependence in dual users of tobacco and e-cigarettes.
Thus, there are important clinical and policy implications for understanding the factors that influence nicotine exposure from e-cigarettes. However, the wide and rapidly changing range of e-liquid and e-cigarette hardware components that may influence nicotine exposure presents a challenge. Recent changes in regulatory oversight of e-cigarettes highlight the importance of synthesizing current knowledge about common factors that may influence nicotine exposure. What are the ingredients in e-cigarettes? Why are e-cigarettes less harmful than cigarettes? Let’s dive in and find out what ingredients make up e-cigarette liquid!
I. Nicotine
The first ingredient to mention is nicotine. Nicotine is the main addictive component of traditional cigarettes. The rate of nicotine absorption and overall nicotine exposure affects the liability to nicotine abuse and dependence. In addition to its addictive potential, nicotine also has negative health effects if used improperly. Vape (electronic cigarette) is a rapidly developing technology that has been widely used in the past decade as a means of nicotine delivery. The impact of e-cigarettes from the perspective of the medical and clinical community remains uncertain.
Nicotine is the main addictive ingredient of traditional cigarettes.
Nicotine in e-cigarettes is divided into 2 types: Freebase and Salt. So what is the difference between these 2 types of nicotine? Freebase nicotine originated in 1960 when Phillip Morris International (Marlboro brand) conducted research and discovered that Freebase nicotine could create a purer product, so it is very popular in cigarettes, nicotine replacement products (including gum and patches, etc.) and e-cigarette liquid.
The process of creating Freebase nicotine involves changing the nicotine from its naturally occurring “salt” state, to its “purest” base form. This method of increasing potency without increasing dosage is why it is popular with vapers as it potentially creates a more cost-effective solution. As the name suggests, the salt protons are removed using ammonia (an alkaline) which raises the pH and adjusts it to the deprotonated “freebase” state.
For Salt nicotine , we’ll start by making the most important clarification, it is NOT based on sodium chloride – commonly known as table salt. Therefore, it will not make your e-liquid taste salty or increase your sodium intake. The term comes from chemistry, where salts are formed from a chemical reaction that contains both a positive (acid) and a negative (base) charge. In tobacco leaves, nicotine is chemically “salts”. More importantly, tobacco leaves only contain nicotine in its “salt” state, it is these nicotine “salts” that are then chemically modified to create Freebase nicotine.
Interestingly, however, the chemical makeup of Salt Nicotine is designed to seek out positively charged particles (protons) so that they can become stable (ionized). Since ions have difficulty traveling through our cell membranes, they have difficulty reaching the nicotine receptors in our bodies. Unmodified salt nicotine can be added to PG/VG to create e-liquids that would need to be vaped at extremely high temperatures for the nicotine to take effect. Even if that were possible, the absorption of nicotine would still be less than that of its “free” base equivalent. Therefore, to create the most effective e-cigarette, Salt Nicotine still needs a bit of chemical tweaking. Salt Nicotine was created so that users could use high doses of nicotine without feeling the throat irritation, and it would be absorbed into the body faster.
And of course, the dosage is extremely important for every ingredient. We all know that absorbing too much of a substance into the body can also be harmful, such as: salt, sugar... and of course nicotine is the same. In Freebase nicotine, the dosage usually exists at a level from 3 to 12 mg/ml, and with Salt nicotine the concentration is often higher up to 50mg/ml. If you are a traditional smoker who has just switched to electronic cigarettes and do not know which nicotine level is suitable for you, please ask for advice from the seller to find the appropriate level of nicotine, to avoid absorbing too much and affecting your health.
II. Flavorings
There are many different flavors on the market today. Some flavors are designed to mimic flavors found in traditional cigarettes (e.g., tobacco, menthol), cigars (sweet, fruit), while others mimic palatable foods (fruit, dessert, candy) or beverages (coffee, alcoholic beverages), and flavors are formulated with proprietary blends. The majority of the evidence suggests that flavors can influence patterns of use by increasing the likelihood that individuals will try or continue using e-cigarette products. At the same time, they facilitate the use of nicotine in e-cigarettes, helping to mask the unpleasant properties of nicotine.
Flavorings are usually made from food additives and are not harmful to health, but users should get into the habit of reading the ingredients in a bottle of e-liquid to know more about what they are putting into their bodies. There is one compound that you should avoid if you see it on the packaging of an e-liquid bottle: diacetyl. Diacetyl is a compound that was previously used in e-liquid to create a butter flavor. It has been linked to a lung disease called popcorn lung. However, no cases of this disease have been identified due to the use of e-cigarettes.
III. Sweeteners
Most e-liquids that have flavors like fruit, candy, and tobacco contain sweeteners. Sweet flavors can also increase the appeal of e-cigarettes to users. Young people who vape regularly and then use e-liquids rate them as “sweet” (peach, watermelon, blackberry, cotton candy, cola, sweet lemon tea) or “unsweet” (mint, tobacco, and menthol). The sweetness that users perceive is created by ingredients that are safe for health.
IV. VG/PG (Vegetable Glycerin/Propylene Glycol)
PG, also known as Propylene Glycol, is a laboratory-produced liquid that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers safe for use in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. It is also used to create artificial smoke for performances. Next is VG, which stands for Vegetable Glycerin – VG is a colorless, odorless liquid with a slightly sweet taste. Like PG, it is also considered safe by the FDA. PG is found in many products, including foods and drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter.
You can see both of these components on the packaging of an e-liquid bottle in the form of numbers such as: 70/30, 60/40, 50/50. These numbers represent the mixing ratio and fluidity of that e-liquid bottle. For an e-liquid bottle with a ratio of 70 VG and 30 PG, that e-liquid bottle will be thicker than an e-liquid bottle with a ratio of 50VG/50PG. The thickness and fluidity of an e-liquid bottle will determine the suitability of the e-cigarette device you use. For example, 70/30 and 60/40 e-liquid bottles will be used on devices with high heating capacity to be able to completely vaporize that e-liquid bottle. On the contrary, an e-liquid bottle with a ratio of 50/50 will require lower power to vaporize.
As you can see, most of the ingredients that make up a bottle of essential oil have been tested by the FDA and are safe when used in the right dosage. If you are a new user, make it a habit to look at the ingredients in a bottle of essential oil you intend to buy or buy from reputable places with guaranteed origins. Don't be tempted by cheap prices to buy bottles of essential oil of unknown preparation and origin, which will cost you your health.
