20mg Nicotine Salt – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

20mg Nicotine Salt”>Nicotine Salt is a high-strength, smooth-delivery form of nicotine used in e-liquids, designed to satisfy heavy smokers switching to vaping. By bonding nicotine with benzoic acid, the alkaline “Hit“>throat hit” is reduced, allowing 20 milligrams per millilitre to be inhaled comfortably at low power. The result is fast, cigarette-like absorption without harshness, making it the legal maximum strength in Australia and the UK for open-system devices.

Technical Details

Nicotine salt e-liquid achieves 20 mg/mL by combining free-base nicotine with an acid—usually benzoic—lowering pH from ~9 to ~5. This chemical buffer lets the nicotine cross membranes quickly while staying stable at room temperature. Typical ratios are 50% VG / 50% PG, optimised for high-resistance (≥1 Ω) coils and 7–15 W devices. Variants include 10 mg and 5 mg “step-down” strengths, iced or fruit flavour profiles, and hybrid salts that blend 20 mg salt with a touch of free-base for extra throat kick. Unlike 0mg nicotinejuice, 20mg salt is classed as a Schedule 7 poison in Australia, so prescription is required for import.

Usage & Tips

  • Device match: Use low-wattage pods or MTL tanks with 1.0–1.4 Ω coils; high-wattage sub-ohm setups will flood you with nicotine.
  • Priming: Fill pod, wait 5 min for cotton saturation to avoid dry hits.
  • Pace yourself: 3–5 short puffs equal one cigarette; chain-vaping can cause dizziness—take breaks.
  • Storage: Keep below 25 °C away from 18650, 21700 or 26650 batteries to prevent oxidation and leaks.
  • Step-down plan: After 4–6 weeks, move to 10 mg, then 5 mg, then 0mg nicotine to quit entirely.

History & Context

Juul Labs pioneered 20–59 mg nicotine salts in 2015, copying the “nicotine protonation” technique used in US tobacco leaves. Global caps soon followed; Australia’s 2021 prescription model limits retail sale to 20 mg/mL, cementing 20 mg as the practical ceiling for adult switchers.

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