E-Liquid Safety Guide: Are E-Liquids Safe To Use?

Batteries are the most common dangers associated with e-cigarettes. But, if you do not proceed cautiously, e-liquid can also be dangerous. Like batteries, e-liquid is dangerous if it isn’t stored properly or used irresponsibly.

Nicotine is classified as a poison, and e-liquid should be treated the same way as any other dangerous substance that you would have in your household. The nicotine in e-liquid is poisonous if enough is ingested, especially if it is swallowed or rubbed all over the skin.

Here at SmokShop, we want to give you some safety tips on how to store your e-liquids and the dangers surrounding them.

Table of contents

• E-liquid ingredients
• E-liquid storage
• E-liquid filling
• How to deal with spillages
• Nicotine tolerance
• Sensitivity

E-liquid ingredients

One of the main questions around vaping is ‘is vaping safe?’ Any vaper should know about the main ingredients that they are inhaling when vaping. The three main ingredients that comprise e-liquids are Propylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerine and Nicotine.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol is an organic compound used in food processing with the E-number E1520. It’s an approved pharmaceutical product used in many products, from inhalers to beauty products and orally digested pharmaceuticals. 

The FDA classifies it as ‘generally recognised as safe’ as a direct food additive. It has been thoroughly tested in lab conditions by several eminent scientists and proven that ‘air containing these vapours in amounts up to saturation point is completely harmless’.

Vegetable Glycerine

Vegetable Glycerine is a simple polyol (sugar alcohol) compound which is colourless, odourless and widely used in pharmaceutical formulations. It’s essentially a vegetable product and is a ‘non-toxic’ substance deemed safe. It’s used in many food products and as a sugar substitute.

Nicotine

Nicotine is a highly toxic chemical and can be considered the most toxic in e-liquid. The TPD rules that e-liquid should contain no more than 20mg of nicotine.

E-liquids are usually always offered with varying degrees of nicotine, ranging from 0mg up to 20mg, and it’s at the user’s discretion which nicotine level they prefer. The reason e-cigarettes are favoured by people wishing to quit smoking tobacco is that they can regulate their nicotine intake and even gradually reduce it to zero.

E-liquid storage

To preserve it best, keep your e-liquid in a cool, dry place. Ensure your e-liquids are locked away and out of reach from children or pets. Do not risk the safety of your children or pets by being negligible with your nicotine. Nicotine is highly toxic, and major harm could be caused if your children or pets get a hold of it.

E-liquid filling

As with storing your e-liquid, you should take as many precautions as possible with handling and filling your e-cigarette. When filling your e-cigarette, remember that you are handling a toxic substance and should always be careful. Do not, under any circumstances, squeeze the bottle too hard or near your face whilst filling it. 

The safest way  to fill your e-cigarette is at arms-length, away from your face and eyes. If you want to be extra cautious, using a syringe to extract the required amount can also be helpful.

How to deal with spillages

If you get e-liquid on any body part, wash it off immediately. Keep your e-liquid away from open wounds, and do not get it anywhere near your eyes, as this can be extremely painful.

If you get e-liquid in your eyes, a wound or anywhere on your skin, we strongly advise you to wash it off immediately. If the pain, stinging or burning continues, it is best to consult a doctor as soon as possible. As mentioned above, e-liquid is toxic; you should treat it like bleach or any other toxic substance.

Nicotine tolerance

Each person has a different level of nicotine tolerance. Most people who start vaping smoked cigarettes previously and usually start with a higher nicotine concentration in their e-liquid. 

If at any point while vaping you start feeling light-headed, nauseous, like your heart is pounding in your chest, or notice any other symptoms of nicotine poisoning, stop vaping immediately. The nicotine concentration may be too high for you to handle, so it is best to adjust the levels until you find what works best for you.

Sensitivity

Propylene glycol is everywhere. It is in inhalers, sanitising agents, fog machines and much more. Despite this, a small part of the world’s population is sensitive, or full-blown allergic, to propylene glycol. If you have propylene glycol sensitivity, we recommend using 100% vegetable glycerine e-liquid.

Why not check out our High VG range at SmokShop so that you can find the right one for you? Remember that not every flavour can be 100% free, as some flavourings contain propylene glycol.

Stay safe with SmokShop

This guide will help all vapers determine if vaping is safe. If you look after your e-cigarette and handle the e-liquid carefully, vaping should be an enjoyable experience. Our e-liquids are made using the highest quality ingredients, ensuring that vaping with SmokShop is safe. Our vapes are available in varying nicotine strengths and flavours to suit all types of vapers. Why not browse our collection of 50/50 e-liquids?