The Truth About Nic Salts – 6 Commonly Asked Questions

Are Nicotine Salts better than traditional nicotine?

18 October 2022 | Hannah Rubery

There are two typical types of nicotine available in the UK for vaping: freebase nicotine (traditional nicotine) and Nic Salts.

Nic Salts, also known as Nicotine Salts, have become a mainstay in the vaping industry, and it’s no surprise why. But there are still many who are unsure about Nic Salts and what the point of them is. In this article, we answer the top six commonly asked questions about Nic Salts to set your mind at ease.

What are Nic Salts?

In short, Nic Salts are a Nicotine Salt E-Liquid used for vaping. Due to the chemical makeup of Nic Salts, they contain a slightly higher concentration of nicotine and are absorbed better than traditional nicotine E-Liquids. Although vaping still offers a lower nicotine amount than most cigarettes, the top strength of Nic Salts in the UK is 20mg.

Both traditional freebase nicotine and Nic Salts are derived from the tobacco plant, the only difference is that an acid is added in the extraction process. This acid (typically benzoic acid) lowers the pH level of nicotine to create Nic Salts.

Typically, Nic Salts offer a stronger, more satisfying nicotine hit whilst providing a smoother vaping experience. Pod Salt’s Nic Salts are specially tailored with our own unique Nic Salt formula to create the perfect, smooth vape that provides a strong hit without irritating your throat. Nic Salts also hit quicker and last longer than traditional nicotine E-Liquids.

The benefits of Nic Salts

There are several benefits to using Nic Salts which overall create a better vaping experience. One of the main benefits of Nic Salt E-Liquids is that they provide a stronger nicotine hit. Because the nicotine has been mixed with benzoic acid, it allows for better absorption into the bloodstream.

As an added benefit it also makes it gentler on the throat. Most high-strength traditional E-Liquids can be quite harsh to your throat which does not feel overly pleasant.

Nic Salts also work best with low-powered devices like pod kits, and they produce less dense clouds perfect for stealth vaping.

Who are Nic Salts best for?

Heavy smokers are likely to benefit the most from Nic Salts but generally, those who need a stronger nicotine hit, or a quicker nicotine hit, will see benefits from Nic Salts.

Similarly, those who wish to stealth vape and not produce thick vapour clouds would prefer Nic Salts.

Are Nic Salts more harmful?

Nic Salts are simply a nicotine solution that has been given a more balanced pH to make it more gentle on the throat and enhance absorption. Nicotine itself is not what is correlated to the harms of cigarette smoking. By itself, nicotine is relatively harmless in comparison to the thousands of harmful carcinogens present in cigarettes. So, no, Nic Salts are not more harmful than traditional nicotine E-Liquids.

What devices work best with Nic Salts?

As mentioned before, low-powered systems work best with Nic Salts. These include tank kits and pod kits (either open or closed). You can use Nic Salts in other kits, but they work best with low-powered kits as higher wattages could result in your coils burning quicker. As Nic Salts don’t produce much vapour so you don’t need as much wattage to vaporise Nic Salts.

For Pod Salt Nic Salts we recommend you use kits such as: XROS Nano, Drag Q, Caliburn A2S.

What nicotine level should I vape?

This really differs between users as some may require a stronger hit than others, or likewise, may realise they don’t need as much nicotine as they thought. The general rule of thumb is that those who are heavy smokers (a pack a day or more), will likely benefit from 20mg/ml Nic Salts which is the max strength in the UK.

For those who are average smokers (around half a pack a day), you are likely to benefit from a medium 11mg/ml Nic Salt. But if you try this and find it doesn’t satisfy the cravings, you may need to bump it up to 20mg/ml.

For casual smokers (less than half a pack a day), we suggest a lower strength like 5mg/ml. It may take a little while to get used to the amount of nicotine you get from vaping, as it's not quite the same as when you smoke cigarettes, but by finding the perfect strength for you, you are more likely to quit smoking for good.

Overall, Nic Salts are not more harmful than other E-Liquids, but as they do contain nicotine there is still some suggested harm thanks to its addictive purposes. For this reason, vaping is not suggested for anyone who has never smoked before. Vaping and Nic Salts are predominantly a quit-smoking tool for smokers or ex-smokers looking to stay clear of cigarettes. Nicotine is an addictive substance and should still be treated with care.