In Australia, nicotine vaping products, including vaping flavours and hardware or devices, are classified as prescription-only medicines. This means that you need a prescription from a registered Australian doctor to legally obtain and use nicotine e-liquids. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) recommends that doctors prescribe closed pod systems, especially for new users, as they do not require any mixing and are a controlled dosage. However, open tank systems are currently an option which needs to be discussed in consultation with your healthcare professional.

Open tank systems allow the patient to refill their pod or device with either a premixed nicotine e-liquid or, mix their own vaping flavour with either a nicotine freebase or nicotine salt concentrate. This maybe a suitable option for people managing an ongoing nicotine dependency as it is generally more economical than close pod systems. A doctor will use their own clinical judgment on a patient-by-patient basis and is under no obligation to prescribe any product.

For patients with an eligible prescription, this guide will explain how to mix both freebase nicotine and nicotine salts into your pre-mixed vaping flavours and provide you with mixing tables for 60 ml volumes.

Essential Ingredients and Tools

- Pre-Mixed Vaping Flavours: Your preferred e-liquid with the desired PG/VG ratio and flavor, obtained legally via a valid prescription
- Nicotine Base: Either freebase nicotine or nicotine salts, obtained legally via valid prescription.
- Syringes and Pipettes: For accurate measurement of nicotine.
- Mixing Bottles: If you're mixing in a different bottle.
Gloves and Safety Gear: Nicotine is a potent substance; handling it with care is crucial.

Mixing Ratios and Calculation

To achieve the desired nicotine strength, you'll need to calculate how much nicotine base to add to your pre-mixed vaping flavours. The total volume of your final e-liquid will slightly increase based on the amount of nicotine you add.

In consultation with your healthcare professional you should consider what strength is right for you. The TGA has published a study by the University of Wollongong that compares strengths of vaping liquids to current daily cigarettes.

Here are mixing tables to help you with the calculations for both freebase nicotine and nicotine salts.

Freebase Nicotine Mixing Table

Nicotine Salts Mixing Table

Step-by-Step Mixing Process

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Clean your workspace and gather all necessary ingredients and tools. Wear gloves and safety gear.
2. Measure Nicotine: Using a syringe, measure the required amount of nicotine base as per the mixing table.
3. Add Nicotine to Pre-Mixed Vaping Flavours: Carefully add the measured nicotine to your pre-mixed vaping flavours bottle. If the bottle is full, you may need to transfer the e-liquid to a larger bottle to accommodate the nicotine.
4. Mix Thoroughly: Cap the bottle and shake it well to ensure the nicotine is evenly distributed.
5. Steep Your E-Liquid (Optional): Some e-liquids benefit from steeping, allowing the flavors to blend better with the nicotine. This can be done by letting the e-liquid sit for a few days to weeks.

Safety Tips

- Always handle nicotine with care, as it is toxic in high concentrations.
- Store nicotine and mixed e-liquids out of reach of children and pets.
- Label your e-liquids with the nicotine strength and any other relevant details.

Nicotine Vaping Products Are Not Risk Free

Whilst this article discusses the process to mix nicotine concentrate with premixed vaping flavours it is important to remember that nicotine vaping products are not risk free. To improve your health, the best thing to do is stop using nicotine altogether. Nicotine Vaping products are second line treatments because they have not been assessed by the TGA for safety, quality and efficacy. Patients should have tried first line treatments and failed prior to trying second line treatments. Nicotine vaping products are to be used for smoking cessation or managing a nicotine dependence and should always be considered only in consultation with a healthcare professional.

Conclusion

In Australia, using and mixing nicotine vaping products, including pre-mixed vaping flavours, requires careful adherence to regulations and professional guidance. Nicotine vaping products are prescription-only medicines, and the RACGP recommends closed pod systems. However, open tank systems, which allow for mixing your own vaping flavours with nicotine concentrate, can be an option in consultation with your healthcare professional.

This guide provides essential information and tools for mixing freebase nicotine and nicotine salts with your pre-mixed vaping flavours. By following the step-by-step process and using the provided mixing tables, you can tailor your e-liquids to the nicotine strength agreed with your healthcare professional.

Remember, while nicotine vaping products can be a useful tool for smoking cessation or managing nicotine dependence, they are not without risks. The best way to improve your health is to stop using nicotine entirely. Always consult with your healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate treatment for your individual needs.

By understanding the regulations and seeking professional advice, you can make informed decisions to support your health goals.