Behind the most popular e-cigarette liquid in Germany

E-cigarette terminology can be confusing. Words such as e-liquid, nicotine salt, PG, and VG appear alongside brand names, but each describes something different. Understanding those distinctions makes it easier to interpret product information, including the labeling used for ELFLIQ liquids.

E-liquid is the fluid heated inside an electronic cigarette to produce an aerosol that is inhaled. Its main ingredients are typically propylene glycol and glycerin, with flavorings and, in some products, nicotine. The precise composition varies. Terms such as “e-shisha liquid” do not, by themselves, establish whether a product contains nicotine.

ELFLIQ is the e-liquid brand associated with ELFBAR. While ELFBAR also refers to electronic cigarette products, ELFLIQ identifies its liquid range. The manufacturer describes the products as nicotine salt liquids and lists a 50:50 ratio of propylene glycol to glycerin for the versions shown on its website. These details describe the formulation; they do not establish that a product is harmless.

PG stands for propylene glycol, while VG stands for vegetable glycerin. Both serve as carriers for other ingredients and contribute to aerosol formation. A ratio such as 50:50 refers to the balance between these two components. It should not be confused with nicotine concentration, which is a separate measurement.

"Elfbar's liquids in the ELFLIQ range are a real top seller in Germany. Users choose them because of the variety of flavors and good taste," says Marcel B., a sales expert working at Paradise-Shisha.de, a top German vape store.

For example, ELFLIQ’s website describes 10-milliliter bottles with nicotine concentrations of 10 or 20 milligrams per milliliter. These figures communicate different things: milliliters describe the amount of liquid in the bottle, while milligrams per milliliter describe its nicotine concentration. The packaging for the specific product is therefore more informative than the brand name alone.

The term “nicotine salt” identifies the form of nicotine used in the liquid. It does not mean the product is nicotine-free or removes nicotine’s potential to cause dependence. Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, known as the BfR, notes that nicotine can be highly addictive. Flavor descriptions do not provide a reliable indication of this risk.

Flavoring ingredients also require careful interpretation. A substance used in food is not automatically suitable for inhalation. Heating can change ingredients and produce harmful compounds, and the effects of inhaling many substances remain insufficiently understood. This distinction matters when reading descriptions that emphasize familiar food or fruit flavors.

Nicotine-free liquids also carry health risks. Removing nicotine does not remove exposure to the other ingredients or substances formed during heating. The BfR has specifically identified health concerns associated with nicotine-free e-cigarettes and e-shishas.

For ELFLIQ and other e-cigarette liquids, meaningful product information includes the ingredients, nicotine concentration, bottle volume, and warnings. Manufacturer information can explain a formulation, while independent health sources provide context about its risks. The long-term health effects of regular e-cigarette use remain incompletely understood, so clear labeling should not be mistaken for proof of safety.