What is a Nicotine Shot?
A nicotine shot is a mixture of vegetable glycerine (VG) and propylene glycol (PG) that contains nicotine. The laws that govern vaping in the UK (TRPR) restrict the volume of nicotine shots to 10ml. The maximum nicotine strength permitted is 20mg, but many nicotine shots have lower strengths than this. Nicotine shots are used to complete shortfill and DIY e-liquids.
Most e-liquids already contain nicotine but those that do can only be sold in volumes of 10ml. To circumvent this restriction, manufacturers began producing nicotine-free flavours and supplying these in underfilled bottles that afforded room to add nicotine shots. Those larger bottles are known as shortfills. Many leading brands offer shortfill versions of their most popular flavours.
Do nicotine shots vary?
Nicotine shots do vary both in their nicotine strength and base liquid ratio. The base liquid ratio is the ratio of PG to VG. Most nicotine shots boast a high VG base as shots are generally used to complete shortfills which tend to be high in VG. If a nicotine shot with a lower proportion of VG is added to a high VG shortfill, it will reduce the VG ratio of the resulting e-liquid.
Having said all that, it is possible to invest in nicotine shots with 50PG/50VG bases and even those that are high PG.
The maximum permitted nicotine strength for shots is 20mg. Most have a strength of at least 18mg. This is because they will be added to nicotine-free e-liquids and so the strength will be diluted. For instance, an 18mg 10ml shot added to 50ml of nicotine-free juice will produce an e-liquid with a strength of 3mg.
Nicotine shot may contain freebase nicotine or salt nicotine. In addition, it is possible to choose a shot featuring Koolada or menthol to create a cooling effect.
Why are most shortfills high in VG?
As explained above, the maximum nicotine strength that a shot is permitted to have is 20mg. But this will be considerably diluted when added to e-liquid. The resulting low nicotine strengths would not be sufficient to relieve the cravings of many vapers, unless they are using devices that produce significant vapour. Devices that deliver big clouds have low resistance coils compatible only with high VG e-liquids.
What are DIY e-liquids
Some vapers like to mix their own juice and so will mix VG, PG and flavour concentrate together before adding nicotine shots. The resulting flavours are usually referred to as DIY e-liquids. These enable you to create unique flavours, to produce large volumes of juice and to tailor them to your taste. They can save you money but take time to create as they must be steeped before use.
Can you vape a nicotine shot?
You could vape a nicotine shot but shots are flavourless and so do not deliver pleasant vaping experiences. Nicotine shots are designed to be added to flavoured e-liquids and not to be vaped undiluted.