I'm not saying i would get anything close to a pure source of nicotine. but i just searched for tobacco essential oil and Tobacco Absolute and they can be purchased online. It seems they are used in aromatherapy and perfume making. An online seller says this of tobacco absolute "Tobacco absolute Tobacco absolute (Nicotiana tabacum) is a dense liquid with dark-brown to black-brown color with thin layer pale brown with sometimes greenish nuance and intensive aroma of tobacco. It is obtained from tobacco concrete." another retailer is selling tobacco essential oil with this description "EACH PURCHASE IS FOR ONE 1/2 OZ. (15 ML.) GLASS BOTTLE/VIAL OF THE ESSENTIAL FRAGRANCE OIL IN THE WONDERFUL SCENT OF TOBACCO. GREAT FOR CANDLEMAKING, SOAPMAKING, BURNING, DIFFUSERS, LAMP RINGS, AROMATHERAPY USES, DIRECT SKIN USE (AS PERFUME), LOTIONS, SHOWER GELS, SHAMPOOS, & MANY MORE USES FOR THIS PREMIUM GRADE OIL. STRONGEST GRADE AVAILABLE. WONDERFUL FRAGRANCING CAPABILITIES. I SHIP WORLDWIDE & ALWAYS USE AIR MAIL. THANKS FOR VIEWING MY PRODUCTS!!"(their caps not mine). So if they are safe to be sold and shipped to be used in aroma therapy I don't see why the couldn't be handled carefully by an ecig user?