The “organic” mode of consumption has become a reference for many consumers wishing to respect the environment and, de facto, human beings more. The advent of organic thus marks his work as a return to nature, a return to practices that respect the ecosystem. But, are organic E-liquids possible?
Designing organic e-liquids for electronic cigarettes?
E-liquids can hardly be organic, to understand them, you have to look at their composition.
Thus, your small 10 ml bottle of e-liquid with a deliciously fruity taste of mango and pineapple (randomly) has the following composition:
- A base structured by propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG);
- Food flavourings (organic or not, we will come back to this);
- Nicotine (depending on the format of the e-liquids)
In the case of this so-called PG/VG base, the two compounds present have different attributes and manufacturing methods.
Vegetable glycerin is thus obtained after saponification of vegetable oils. Not very allergenic, this VG can thus be partly organic.
Propylene glycol, on the other hand, is a compound obtained after a heavier petrochemical process: it is not an organic product. It can nevertheless be replaced by Vegetol or even by vegetable mono propylene glycol (MPGV).
In addition, the food flavourings which are the fundamental ingredients allowing you to appreciate the taste of the e-liquid can be obtained naturally or synthetically. When these ingredients are extracted from plant materials by agriculture, we can then find organic flavours.
Nicotine is made synthetically from a molecule present in the tobacco leaf. Currently, no natural manufacturing process is possible for nicotine: organic certification can still wait.
Despite a possible partial natural composition, an organic electronic cigarette liquid is therefore faced with some obstacles to be considered fully organic.
Can we talk about 100% organic e-liquids?
As mentioned in the previous paragraphs, the implementation of a perfectly organic e-liquid is incomplete: some components of the e-liquid in question are indeed chemical. There is therefore no 100% organic e-liquid.
The propylene glycol first, then the nicotine then two components of the e-liquid, moving the latter away from its organic claims. The solution could, it will be said, reside in the fact of freeing oneself from its two components.
Indicators of the quality of an e-liquid
As we have seen previously, an e-liquid can demonstrate its quality by integrating organic ingredients into its composition. But organic is not the only argument that can attest to the quality of an e-liquid. For this, compliance with standards is essential:
- Pharmaceutical grade nicotine, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin;
- Food flavours suitable for inhalation and/or vaporization;
- Compliance with the standards in force;
- Mention of the laboratory(ies) when the information is communicated by the manufacturer.