Finding it Hard to Quit Smoking - Try Nicotine Salts

The nicotine quitting journey can be long and arduous, filled with temptations and slip-ups aplenty. That’s why for some people, it takes a whopping 30 quit attempts on average to successfully kick the habit (for one year or longer). As one of the most addictive substances available, breaking a nicotine addiction is no small feat. Some successfully do it without a quitting aid, instead opting for the cold turkey approach. For the vast majority, however, digging yourself out of the nicotine addiction hole can be work. And it’s not for a lack of willpower. Even genetics may influence a person’s ability to rid themselves of the nicotine dependence. True story, backed by clinical research. So, just because someone else was able to successfully overcome their nicotine dependence overnight but you’re finding it tough going doesn’t mean you should take it too hard on yourself. At least there’s the biology to blame! The best thing, though, is that as challenging as quitting smoking may be, it is absolutely possible to drop the habit for good. Vaping has been found to be the most effective smoking cessation tool, with a report from Public Health England noting that vaping boasts the highest success rate of all smoking cessation tools, with many smokers in England preferring vaping over other methods.

Of course, as with any other big change, switching from cigarettes to vapes might present some teething problems, more so for individuals who have been actively smoking for years or decades. Some people who have made the switch report experiencing challenges with the transition. There are those who have faulted vaping for being underwhelming in comparison to regular cigarettes. While there is always the option to increase the nicotine strength to achieve the desired effect, this will likely result in a burning sensation at the back of the throat; and not many are willing to put up with that. Enter nicotine salts.

Nicotine variation: An introduction to nicotine salts

Nicotine salts are a relatively new invention in the vaping industry. It was not until the emergence of the Juul and other low power pod vape systems that nic salts – or salt nics as they are also known – became popular. And it wasn’t just because vapers suddenly got introduced to a smaller, discreet device that could be used for stealth vaping. There was that. More importantly, though, is what these pod devices carried inside: a special type of e-juice. Nicotine salt e-liquid is not much different from the nicotine e-liquid that was used in devices up until that point (known as freebase nicotine), but a few chemical twists in its composition made it special. Notably, nic salts switched the ammonia additive with benzoic acid, a slight tweak that unravelled the magic. This made this nicotine variation less alkaline, meaning the resultant vape had none of that burning sensation on the throat caused by the super alkaline pH of freebase nicotine. In addition to the smoothness, nic salt e-liquid also packed a stronger throat hit that mirrors that of a combustible cigarette’s. It meant smokers who found vapes to be underwhelming or too harsh on the throat now had the perfect cigarette alternative, and it’s no surprise that nicotine salts have become all the rage ever since.

Why nicotine salts may make sense for you

If you’re a smoker looking to transition into vaping, you might want to consider salt nics over freebase nicotine. This particularly goes for heavy smokers for whom nicotine satisfaction and throat hit are a big deal. That’s not to say freebase nicotine can’t do it for you. It can, but when it comes to replicating the feel of an actual cigarette, nic salts are simply unrivalled. Nicotine salts are absorbed into the bloodstream faster than freebase nicotine, so they can prove very effective for people trying to give up cigarettes. Furthermore, when making the decision to quit smoking, the goal should be to go all the way, not fall off the wagon after a couple of weeks or months. Vaping significantly boosts your chances of successfully quitting smoking, and nic salts are your best chance of getting to the promised land. Compared to freebase nicotine, nic salts deliver a smoother experience that makes it possible to vape higher doses without the nicotine compromising your vape. That’s because of the lower pH in salt nics. Vaping higher doses means you will vape less frequently because your cravings will be sufficiently quelled. As a result, you will also spend less on e-liquid, more so when you consider that pound-for-pound, nic salts are more cost-effective. Initially, nic salts only came in closed pod systems but today, they are available as a stand-alone e-liquid that can be purchased separately in bottles – in addition to pods like Juul pods and others. That means you can use them on most refillable e-cig devices, particularly the low-powered mouth-to-lung (MTL) device category.

Nicotine salts suit some users better than others

By now, you’ve already gathered that salt nics are an excellent choice for smokers looking for a seamless transition from cigarettes to e-cig devices. However, nicotine salts are a more stable form of nicotine for beginner vapers in general. And by ‘stable’ we mean the nature of this variation of nicotine. Nic salts last longer when inside a bottle and do not alter the colour of your juice as rapidly as freebase nicotine, a trait that makes them an ideal carry for when you’re on the road. What’s more, if you are a more low-key kind of person, the discreet nature of nic salts allows you to maintain a low profile. Even when paired with regular vaporisers, salt nics do not produce as much vapour as standard e-liquid, so you can always go about your business without causing a big show.

Are there any downsides to using nicotine salts?

Of course, everything has its pluses and minuses, and nicotine salts are no exception. Some users may report feeling lightheaded or dizzy when using nic salts, especially during the first instances of use. And it’s obvious why. Nic salts are very smooth on the inhale, but the lack of harshness means it’s possible to vape high doses or take in too much without noticing. The side effects are just a way of telling you that the nicotine content is a little on the higher side. There are those who also say they cough more when they use nicotine salts compared to standard e-liquid. It doesn’t mean salt nics are like conventional cigarettes with the tar and all. This likely has to do with the composition of the particular e-juice you’re using. E-liquids with benzoic acid (or a higher VG ratio) may keep the coughs at bay; it’s the more acidic blends that could trigger the coughing, especially those with salicylate. Moreover, they don’t marry well with direct lung (DL) vape devices (aka mods and sub-ohm devices) but other than that, there aren’t really that many a drawback with nicotine salts provided you are a nicotine vaper.