E-liquids and cartridges for electronic shisha

Composition of an e-liquid for electronic shisha

An e-liquid combines four components. Propylene glycol (PG) is a thin flavour carrier that accentuates the throat hit. Vegetable glycerine (VG), more viscous, produces a denser vapour. Food-grade flavourings define the taste profile; in this category, they take up the shisha families: double apple, watermelon, blueberry, citrus, mint, fruit-mint combinations. Nicotine, optional, is present as nicotine salts or freebase nicotine. The PG/VG ratio is expressed as a percentage: 50/50 for 10 ml bottles intended for low-power coils, 30/70 for glycerine-rich liquids intended for more powerful devices.

The formats in the category

10 ml bottles with nicotine

The 10 ml bottle is the maximum format permitted in France for a nicotine-containing e-liquid (TPD regulations). The references in the category are formulated with nicotine salts, at 8 mg/ml or 20 mg/ml depending on the brand, 20 mg/ml being the legal maximum strength. They come in a 50/50 base for mouth-to-lung (MTL) inhalation on pods and shisha pens. Example: Adalya e-liquid 10 ml, nicotine salts 8 or 20 mg/ml.

50 ml and 60 ml nicotine-free bottles

50 ml and 60 ml bottles contain no nicotine (0 mg/ml): the 10 ml limit applies only to nicotine-containing liquids. They are used as they are in the tanks of tabletop e-shishas or electronic heads, or receive a nicotine shot before use. Their base is generally richer in vegetable glycerine (for example 30/70), suited to low-ohm coils and high vapour production.

Nicotine shots

A nicotine shot (booster) is a 10 ml bottle of neutral base (unflavoured) at 20 mg/ml nicotine. Added to a 50 ml nicotine-free bottle, it produces a nicotine-containing liquid: one 10 ml shot in 50 ml gives around 3 mg/ml, two shots around 6 mg/ml. Mixing is done in the original bottle, designed with the necessary free volume, then shaken and left to rest for a few hours.

Pre-filled cartridges, pods and capsules

Pre-filled cartridges include the tank and, most often, the coil. They cannot be refilled and are only compatible with the device they are designed for: pods of the same brand for rechargeable puffs, HOOKY cartridges for HOOKY devices, EHUKA cartridges for EHUKA mods, Waker cartridges for the Waker electronic head. The nicotine strength, capacity and stated number of puffs are given on each product page. A cartridge intended for a nicotine-containing liquid is limited to 2 ml in France; larger capacities are reserved for nicotine-free liquids.

Refillable cartridges

Some empty cartridges, such as the Waker 20 ml refillable cartridge, are filled with a bottled e-liquid. As their capacity exceeds 2 ml, they are intended for nicotine-free liquids.

Compatibility with devices

The choice of liquid depends on the device's coil. Low-power coils (pods, shisha pens, rechargeable puffs) work with 50/50 liquids and nicotine salts; the sub-ohm coils of tabletop electronic shishas accept glycerine-richer liquids (30/70) with low or zero nicotine strengths. A very viscous liquid in a low-power coil clogs the cotton; a thin, high-nicotine liquid in a sub-ohm coil produces an excessive throat hit. Replacement tanks, coils and batteries are listed in the e-shisha accessories category.

Storage and use

Store bottles closed, upright, away from light and heat, out of reach of children and animals; nicotine is toxic if swallowed and through prolonged skin contact. The best-before date is on the label; a liquid that has browned or whose flavour has altered should no longer be used. Before using a new coil for the first time, let the liquid soak into the cotton for a few minutes. Empty bottles go with plastics recycling; cartridges containing a coil fall under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) stream.

Regulations applicable in France

Nicotine-containing e-liquids and pre-filled cartridges are vaping products within the meaning of Article L.3513-1 of the French Public Health Code. They are subject to the TPD regulations: maximum strength of 20 mg/ml, bottle of 10 ml maximum, tank or cartridge of 2 ml maximum, labelling with health warning and prior notification to ANSES (the French health and safety agency). Nicotine-free liquids are not subject to the capacity limits but remain prohibited for sale to minors and subject to the ban on advertising.

Category characteristics

FAQ

Why are e-liquids with nicotine limited to 10 ml?

The TPD regulations, as transposed into French law, limit nicotine-containing e-liquid bottles to 10 ml and the strength to 20 mg/ml. Nicotine-free liquids can be sold in 50 ml or 60 ml.

What is the difference between nicotine salts and classic nicotine?

Nicotine salts are absorbed more quickly and produce a less marked throat hit at equal strength, which suits them to low-power pods and shisha pens. Freebase nicotine, more common in nicotine shots, suits more powerful coils at low strength.

How do you dose a nicotine shot in a 50 ml bottle?

One 10 ml shot at 20 mg/ml added to 50 ml nicotine-free gives around 3 mg/ml; two shots give around 6 mg/ml. Shake and leave to rest before use.

Is a pre-filled cartridge compatible with several devices?

No. Each cartridge or pod is designed for one brand and one generation of device. Compatibility is stated on the cartridge's product page.

Which PG/VG ratio for a shisha pen or a pod?

A 50/50 ratio, suited to low-power coils and mouth-to-lung inhalation. Glycerine-rich ratios (30/70) are reserved for tabletop electronic shishas with sub-ohm coils.