TFN or Tobacco-Free Nicotine :  What It Is & Why You Should Care

by Felicia Downing

            When it comes to nicotine and tobacco, all vapers can agree that there needs to be more distinction between the two. While nicotine is a natural product of tobacco, it can also be found in many plants, including potatoes, tomatoes, and broccoli. Nicotine is widely known to be the substance responsible for tobacco addiction; which is where people start to get their facts twisted. Although addicting, nicotine is not responsible for the health damages caused by smoking tobacco. 

            So what does this have to do with TFN, and what is TFN anyway? TFN, or tobacco-free nicotine, created by Next Generation Labs is a lab-created nicotine concentrate that is synthesized without using any parts of the tobacco plant. This nicotine is used in e-liquids for vaping devices as an alternative to nicotine which is derived from tobacco. 

            There are any number of reasons why TFN is a huge development for the vaping industry. First of all, the FDA has the authority to regulate any and all "tobacco products". In terms of vaping, any part of your device which can be "reasonably expected" to be used to consume tobacco can be deemed a tobacco product. So if you're using an e-liquid with tobacco-derived nicotine, everything from the tank/RDA, to the mod, and even the batteries can be considered tobacco products, and therefore can be regulated by the FDA. It could be argued, logically, that use of TFN would no longer constitute any part of your vaping device as a tobacco product.  Those of us who vape are already well aware that vaping and smoking are entirely different animals, and that vaping is a valid & valuable harm-reduction tool. We already know how absurd it is to consider a vaping device a "tobacco product", however this is what we are up against. TFN is just another step in the right direction for the vaping industry.

            Aside from the science and regulation angles, there is another huge aspect of TFN that many vapers will agree is the most positive: the flavor!  E-liquids made with TFN are widely thought to be more crisp and vibrant than those made with tobacco-derived nicotine. Anyone who has been vaping for any length of time has probably tried an e-liquid which tasted bitter or peppery - this flavor is a direct result of the nicotine being used, and is all but impossible to remedy.

                        So why aren't all e-liquid companies using TFN? Put simply, it comes down to cost. TFN is a relatively new development, and it is likely not feasible for many companies to afford this product. However, when it comes down to it, those companies who can - should. If the vaping industry is going to continue to thrive as an anti-smoking tool, we need to continue to advance our technology, so that what we already know to be true becomes undeniable.

Watch how Smax is made with TFN below