And Where Else You’ve Already Seen These Ingredients
Vaping has grown rapidly in popularity—especially as a harm-reduction tool for smokers. Yet, there’s still a lot of confusion (and misinformation) about what’s actually inside vape liquid. Let’s break it down ingredient by ingredient—and show you just how familiar these substances really are.
________________________________________
The 4 Main Ingredients in Vape Liquid
1. Vegetable Glycerine (VG)
What it does:
VG is a thick, slightly sweet liquid that helps produce large clouds of vapor. It gives vape juice a smooth, dense feel.
Where else you’ve seen it:
• Food (used in cakes, ice cream, and low-fat foods as a sweetener or thickener)
• Toothpaste and mouthwash
• Skincare products like lotions and creams
• Medications like cough syrup and suppositories
✔️ Food-grade and non-toxic.
________________________________________
2. Propylene Glycol (PG)
What it does:
PG is thinner than VG and helps carry flavour and provide the throat hit that mimics smoking.
Where else you’ve seen it:
• Asthma inhalers
• Food colouring and flavouring (as a carrier)
• Soft drinks and processed foods
• Hand sanitizers and cosmetic products
✔️ Also used in medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Approved by food and drug safety agencies worldwide.
________________________________________
3. Nicotine (optional)
What it does:
Nicotine is the addictive substance also found in cigarettes. In vape liquid, it’s controlled and available in different strengths to help smokers gradually reduce dependence.
Where else you’ve seen it:
• Nicotine gum
• Patches
• Lozenges and sprays
(all licensed as smoking cessation aids)
✔️ Nicotine is addictive, but it’s not the main cause of smoking-related diseases—those come from burning tobacco and inhaling smoke, not from nicotine itself.
________________________________________
4. Flavourings
What they do:
Flavourings are used to create different tastes like fruit, dessert, tobacco, or menthol.
Where else you’ve seen them:
• Candy, soft drinks, and baked goods
• Yoghurts and chewing gum
• Herbal teas and flavoured vitamins
✔️ Vape flavourings use food-grade ingredients, but they’re formulated specifically for inhalation. High-quality brands avoid harmful additives like diacetyl (linked to respiratory risks).
________________________________________
So Is Vape Liquid Safe?
No product you inhale is 100% risk-free, but here’s the important distinction:
✅ Vape liquid contains far fewer chemicals than cigarette smoke, which has over 5,000+ toxic substances, including tar, carbon monoxide, and ammonia.
✅ UK-regulated e-liquids must meet strict safety standards under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR).
✅ No tobacco is burned, meaning you’re avoiding the most dangerous part of smoking.
Vaping has grown rapidly in popularity—especially as a harm-reduction tool for smokers. Yet, there’s still a lot of confusion (and misinformation) about what’s actually inside vape liquid. Let’s break it down ingredient by ingredient—and show you just how familiar these substances really are.
________________________________________
The 4 Main Ingredients in Vape Liquid
1. Vegetable Glycerine (VG)
What it does:
VG is a thick, slightly sweet liquid that helps produce large clouds of vapor. It gives vape juice a smooth, dense feel.
Where else you’ve seen it:
• Food (used in cakes, ice cream, and low-fat foods as a sweetener or thickener)
• Toothpaste and mouthwash
• Skincare products like lotions and creams
• Medications like cough syrup and suppositories
✔️ Food-grade and non-toxic.
________________________________________
2. Propylene Glycol (PG)
What it does:
PG is thinner than VG and helps carry flavour and provide the throat hit that mimics smoking.
Where else you’ve seen it:
• Asthma inhalers
• Food colouring and flavouring (as a carrier)
• Soft drinks and processed foods
• Hand sanitizers and cosmetic products
✔️ Also used in medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Approved by food and drug safety agencies worldwide.
________________________________________
3. Nicotine (optional)
What it does:
Nicotine is the addictive substance also found in cigarettes. In vape liquid, it’s controlled and available in different strengths to help smokers gradually reduce dependence.
Where else you’ve seen it:
• Nicotine gum
• Patches
• Lozenges and sprays
(all licensed as smoking cessation aids)
✔️ Nicotine is addictive, but it’s not the main cause of smoking-related diseases—those come from burning tobacco and inhaling smoke, not from nicotine itself.
________________________________________
4. Flavourings
What they do:
Flavourings are used to create different tastes like fruit, dessert, tobacco, or menthol.
Where else you’ve seen them:
• Candy, soft drinks, and baked goods
• Yoghurts and chewing gum
• Herbal teas and flavoured vitamins
✔️ Vape flavourings use food-grade ingredients, but they’re formulated specifically for inhalation. High-quality brands avoid harmful additives like diacetyl (linked to respiratory risks).
________________________________________
So Is Vape Liquid Safe?
No product you inhale is 100% risk-free, but here’s the important distinction:
✅ Vape liquid contains far fewer chemicals than cigarette smoke, which has over 5,000+ toxic substances, including tar, carbon monoxide, and ammonia.
✅ UK-regulated e-liquids must meet strict safety standards under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR).
✅ No tobacco is burned, meaning you’re avoiding the most dangerous part of smoking.