Nicotine salt e-liquids were a big trend from 2020 that will continue to pick up momentum. Available since 2017 — mainly in pod-like devices — nicotine salts have steadily gained a foothold in the broader market due to a smooth taste and nicotine hit that closely resembles combustible cigarettes.
Made by combining benzoic acid with the naturally occurring salts found in tobacco leaf, nicotine salts allow users to vape higher nicotine concentrations, but without compromising on taste. The addition of benzoic acid accounts for three significant changes. Firstly, it enables the liquid to be vaporised at a much lower temperature, making them suitable for lower wattage devices. Secondly, the reduced PH leads to lower alkaline levels, which reduce the harshness of vaping high concentration liquids. And finally, the chemical changes from the addition of benzoic acid result in an increase in bioavailability, meaning vapers report quicker and more satisfying nicotine hits.
In recent years, nicotine salts have proven extremely popular with new vapers, with many reporting that salts have a higher success rate among those transitioning from cigarettes.
However, nicotine salts aren’t just popular with newer vapers. Seasoned, longtime vapers have also begun to move away from freebase nicotine in favour of nicotine salts. Many report a better throat hit, flavour and increased nicotine bioavailability, that makes for a more satisfying vape despite using a lower volume of juice.
With more brands offering nic salt versions of their best selling juices, 2021 looks like the year when nic salts go mainstream.