Age Verification
Ice Vape

This site sells nicotine products for adults only. You must be 18 or older to enter.

I am under 18 — Exit

🔒 UK law requires age verification for nicotine products

Home E-Liquids Disposable Vape Alternatives Vape Kits Vape Pods Pouches Heated Tobacco Accessories Shop by Brand New Sale
Log In Sign Up

Your Cart

added to cart
Free UK delivery over £25 Same-day dispatch before 4pm Excellent ★★★★★ 4.9/5 Age-verified 18+
Reference · 24 terms

Vaping Glossary

Every vaping term you'll see on Ice Vape, explained in plain English — from MTL and nic salts to mesh coils and TPD limits.

What are the most important vaping terms to know?

The essentials are MTL vs DTL (how you inhale), nic salt vs freebase (the nicotine type), VG/PG ratio (the liquid base), and puff count (device lifespan). Understanding these four makes choosing a vape far easier.

MTL (Mouth-to-Lung)

A vaping style where you draw vapour into your mouth first, then inhale — like a cigarette. Suits high-nicotine salts and low-power pod kits.

DTL (Direct-to-Lung)

Inhaling vapour straight into the lungs, used with higher-power sub-ohm devices and lower-nicotine e-liquids for big clouds.

Nic Salt (Nicotine Salt)

Nicotine in its natural salt form blended with a mild acid, giving a smoother throat hit and faster absorption than freebase — ideal for pod kits. UK max 20mg/ml.

Freebase Nicotine

The traditional form of nicotine in e-liquid; harsher at high strengths, better suited to sub-ohm DTL vaping at lower mg.

VG (Vegetable Glycerine)

A thick, sweet base liquid that produces vapour/clouds. Higher VG ratios suit sub-ohm devices.

PG (Propylene Glycol)

A thin base liquid that carries flavour and gives throat hit. Higher PG suits MTL pod kits.

VG/PG Ratio

The blend of the two base liquids, e.g. 50/50 (balanced, MTL) or 70/30 (more cloud, DTL).

TPD

The UK Tobacco Products Directive rules: nicotine capped at 20mg/ml, e-liquid bottles max 10ml, tanks/pods max 2ml.

Mesh Coil

A coil using a flat mesh strip for even heating — better flavour and longer life than traditional wire coils.

Sub-Ohm

A coil with resistance below 1.0 ohm, used for high-power DTL vaping and large clouds.

Ohm (Ω)

The unit of electrical resistance of a coil. Lower ohms = more power/vapour; higher ohms = tighter MTL draw.

mAh

Milliamp-hours — the battery capacity of a device. Higher mAh means longer use between charges.

Pod Kit

A compact device using replaceable or refillable pods instead of a separate tank — the main legal replacement for disposables.

Prefilled Pod

A sealed pod that comes filled with e-liquid; you click it in and vape, then replace it when empty.

Disposable Vape

A single-use device with a built-in battery and pre-filled liquid — banned for sale in the UK since 1 June 2025.

Puff Count

The manufacturer's estimate of how many draws a device delivers before the liquid or battery runs out.

Throat Hit

The sensation felt at the back of the throat when vaping; stronger with higher nicotine, PG and freebase.

Shortfill

A larger bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid with space to add a nic shot, popular for sub-ohm vaping.

Nic Shot

A small 10ml bottle of concentrated nicotine added to a shortfill to reach your chosen strength.

Coil Priming

Wetting a new coil's wicking material with e-liquid before use to prevent a burnt taste (dry hit).

Dry Hit

The unpleasant burnt taste from vaping a coil that hasn't absorbed enough e-liquid.

Nicotine Pouch

A tobacco-free sachet placed under the lip that releases nicotine through the gum — no smoke or vapour.

Wattage

The power output of a device in watts; higher wattage produces more heat, vapour and flavour intensity.

Airflow

The adjustable air intake on a device that controls how tight (MTL) or airy (DTL) the draw feels.

Glossary FAQ

What does MTL and DTL mean in vaping?

MTL (mouth-to-lung) mimics a cigarette draw and suits high-strength nic salts in pod kits; DTL (direct-to-lung) inhales straight to the lungs on higher-power devices for bigger clouds.

What is the difference between nic salt and freebase?

Nic salt is smoother and absorbs faster, ideal for pod kits at up to 20mg. Freebase gives a harsher hit and suits lower-strength sub-ohm vaping.

What is the UK legal nicotine limit?

UK TPD law caps e-liquid nicotine at 20mg/ml, refill bottles at 10ml and tanks/pods at 2ml.

Contains nicotine, an addictive substance. For adults 18+ only — not for non-smokers or non-vapers. Last reviewed July 2026 by Ice Vape.