Nicotine explained

What is nicotine?

Nicotine belongs to a family of compounds called alkaloids and occurs naturally in several varieties of plant – including tomatoes, aubergines and potatoes – but is found at its highest levels in the tobacco plant. We don’t add nicotine to our conventional cigarettes and the nicotine in our e-liquids for our vapour products is extracted from tobacco leaf.

What are the effects of using nicotine?

First-time users of nicotine often experience dizziness and/or nausea.  After becoming accustomed to using nicotine, effects have been reported to range from helping adults to relax to acting as a stimulant. Other reported effects include improvements in mood and concentration. Nicotine can cause acute increases in heart rate and blood pressure. As a result, reduced-risk nicotine *† products are not suitable people with heart conditions, severe hypertension or diabetes. Also, nicotine use has been linked with adverse outcomes in pregnancy, so women should consult with their doctor before using any nicotine product during pregnancy.

Is nicotine harmful?

Because nicotine is so closely associated with smoking we understand why some people may think it is responsible for many of the harmful effects of smoking. Consuming nicotine is not completely risk free. Rapid absorption of a large dose through skin contact or oral ingestion can cause severe reactions requiring medical attention and poses risk of fatality in children, animals or highly vulnerable persons. However, at typical recreational doses it is usually safe for healthy adults. It is now widely acknowledged that the cause of most the of serious health risks associated with conventional cigarettes is the toxicants in the smoke produced when tobacco is burned – and not the nicotine.

Is nicotine addictive?

Nicotine is addictive, which is why the sale of any nicotine product should be age restricted.

Is nicotine poisonous?

At high, rapid dosages or concentrations it is poisonous, but nicotine is not poisonous at the levels normally consumed through the use of tobacco and vapour products.. The nicotine in our e-liquids for our vapour products is low dosage, but should only be used as intended. We make it clear that e-liquids should be kept out of the reach of children and we provide guidance on what to do if e-liquids are accidentally spilt on the skin, swallowed or if the person feels unwell after using the product.