Why Do Vapes Make Me Cough?

Many tobacco users have recently quit smoking due to the dangers associated with tobacco smoke. They then switched to using vaping devices, which are nicotine delivery systems that somehow mimic the sensation of cigarette smoking without releasing harmful byproducts from tobacco.

For the past few years, the number of smokers switching to electronic cigarettes has significantly increased. Hence, the vaping market has expanded significantly, with many brands and manufacturers releasing their own take on vaping products and their accompanying accessories. They even crafted their own take on vape juices so they can entice as many customers as possible.

You might be one of those smokers who recently switched to vaping. And since there’s no tobacco smoke, you might have assumed that vaping won’t make you cough. You are then surprised when you suddenly cough repeatedly whenever you use e-cigarettes. What could be the reason behind this?

Understanding Vaping and Coughing

Vaping, in general, is the act of using vaping devices or e-cigarettes.

Whenever you puff the said devices, you are essentially vaping. One good thing about these cigarette alternatives is they don’t contain any tobacco leaves, which means you won’t be able to take in as many carcinogens as before. Additionally, they don’t require combustion. Instead, they rely on coils to heat e-liquids and turn them into aerosol or vapour, which usually smells good due to their tantalizing flavours.

The practice of vaping has become even more popular not only for smokers but also for new nicotine users and young adults due to the accessibility of vaping devices. Before strict regulations were implemented regarding their sale, any adults and even young people could gain access to e-cigarettes.

Vaping devices are also convenient. They typically come in a compact form factor, which means users can bring and use them whenever and wherever possible. They won’t even require any lighter just to power them on. As long as they have enough battery percentage, vape users can technically activate the device and puff until their nicotine cravings have been satisfied.

If vaping is deemed less harmful than smoking, then why do you cough whenever you puff?

There are plenty of possible reasons why you cough when you vape.

First, you might be new to vaping. When you take your first few puffs, you might cough from time to time since your lungs are still coping with the changes in your habit. If you’re coming from smoking cigarettes, your respiratory system is only used by the hits coming from tobacco smoke. When you switch to vaping, your lungs will inhale vapour, triggering a cough to somehow expel mucus and anything entering your body that acts as an irritant.

Additionally, you might be coughing when vaping as your body may not react optimally to your vape aerosol. You may have to wait for a few days before your lungs can get used to your new habit.

Nicotine and Coughing

Perhaps, the very reason why you opted for vaping devices is they can give you your much-needed nicotine hits without the harmful health risks associated with cigarettes and other tobacco products.

So, how do vaping devices provide nicotine without using tobacco?

Over the past few years, different brands and manufacturers have crafted a lot of e-liquid formulations so they can provide vaping devices that are less harmful than tobacco products. They then designed various types of nicotine. Some would use tobacco-derived nicotine, while others take advantage of synthetic nicotine or nicotine made in the laboratory.

Since they are the ones creating the said stimulant, vape manufacturers can essentially control its strength or concentration. If you desire hard-hitting vaping devices, then go for those with a high percentage of nicotine strength. Otherwise, opt for an e-cigarette with a low nicotine strength.

Now, is it possible to cough when vaping due to nicotine?

Unfortunately, yes.

The type of nicotine used in a particular vaping device can somehow affect its throat hit, which can either be satisfying or irritating. E-cigarettes with freebase nicotine usually cause vape users to cough endlessly, especially at higher nicotine levels. Vaping devices with nicotine salts, alternatively, provide a smooth and satisfying throat hit, regardless of their nicotine strength.

Hence, if you cough endlessly and you find out that your vaping device has freebase nicotine, then you might want to switch to one with nicotine salts. You can still opt for e-cigarettes with freebase nicotine, but it would take you a few months before you could handle their intensity.

Aside from the type of nicotine used for vaping devices, you may also cough when vaping due to your device’s nicotine strength. It is generally advisable to opt for a vaping device with the right nicotine strength to avoid experiencing persistent cough. If you’re a light smoker, you must opt for a vaping device with a lower nicotine strength.

You can tell if your vaping device is too strong for you if you experience a vaper’s cough, throat irritation, and other side effects of too much nicotine like nausea and headaches. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s best that you go for a vaping device with a lower nicotine strength.

E-Liquid Composition and Coughing

If you just started vaping, then you might want to know the composition of vape juice or e-liquid.

Vape juices or e-liquids are comprised of ingredients that can make your vaping experience flavourful and satisfying.Some of their primary ingredients are propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine, and flavourings.

• Propylene glycol: PG is a thin, odourless liquid that carries flavour in e-liquids. It causes a stronger throat hit, which mimics the sensation of smoking cigarettes. It also prevents the e-liquids from being too thick, improving their wick absorption and delivery of vapour.
• Vegetable glycerin: VG is a thick, slightly sweet liquid that generates dense vapour clouds. It ensures a smoother inhale and balances the harsher effects of PG. E-liquids with a higher VG ratio are ideal for new vape users since they provide a gentler throat feel.
• Nicotine: Nicotine is a highly addictive stimulant or chemical usually found in tobacco products like cigarettes, dipping tobacco, and snus. It gives the buzz that many vape users seek and crave, especially those who just ditched cigarettes. It features varying strengths to suit different needs.
• Flavourings: Flavourings, ultimately, give vape juices or e-liquids their distinct taste. These food-grade additives can easily enhance one’s vaping experience without burning or altering during vapourization. They typically range from fruit and dessert flavours to mint and even tobacco.

Not all manufacturers of vaping devices use similar formulations of e-liquids. Some would opt for a higher PG level, while others tend to go for a lower one. The type of nicotine used in e-liquids, as well as its strength, may also vary from one brand to another. So, it’s really important for you to know the composition of your e-liquids before puffing and using them continuously.

If not, you might end up coughing whenever you vape.

As mentioned earlier, the type of nicotine used in your e-liquids, as well as their strength, can somehow affect your vaping experience. If you’re a new user and you opted for e-liquids with freebase nicotine and a high nicotine level, then you may only end up coughing.

The base liquid ratio of your e-liquids can also affect your whole vaping experience. E-liquids come with PG and VG, which are considered to be their base ingredients. Now, the ratio of these base ingredients can somehow affect their throat hit, flavour intensity, and vapour production.

Usually, most standard vape juices boast a balanced ratio of 50/50 (VG/PG). They basically provide a moderate throat hit and decent vapour.

Those with a 70/30 (VG/PG) ratio, alternatively, provide smoother hits and dense vapour clouds. The only compromise with this ratio is they boast a slightly reduced flavour sharpness. Vape juices with an 80/20 (VG/PG) ratio are then known for producing huge clouds with minimal throat hits.

E-liquids with higher PG ratio (e.g., 60/40 or 70/30 PG/VG), on the other hand, can easily deliver a stronger throat hit and more intense flavour. They also produce less vapour.

If you opted for vape devices with a higher PG ratio and you’re coughing from time to time, then it might only mean that you’re sensitive or allergic to PG. Individuals who are sensitive or allergic to PG are usually rare. However, if you always cough when you puff your e-cigarettes, then you might be a part of the said group of people. Aside from coughing continuously when vaping, you might be sensitive to PG if you experience sore throat, dry mouth, or gum problems.

One thing you can do to test whether you’re sensitive to PG is to opt for a 70/30 (VG/PG) e-liquid. If you are still coughing, then switch to a PG-free vaping juice. Once all signs of PG sensitivity weaned off, it only means that you should continue using PG-free vaping devices.

Aside from the PG content of your e-liquids, you might be coughing due to the flavourings added to them. If you recently switched to a new e-liquid and found yourself coughing extensively, you might be reacting to a particular flavouring used in your vape juice.

Even though e-liquids often opt for food-grade flavourings, some of them may still trigger allergic reactions in a few individuals. If you recently switched to a different e-liquid flavour and somehow coughed as you vape it, then you might be allergic to its flavouring content. You can try different flavours of e-liquids to determine which of them can somehow irritate your throat.

Additionally, if you just tried puffing a menthol-flavoured vape and somehow coughed, then you might have to check whether the presence of menthol irritates your throat or lungs. You can test this by opting for a non-menthol flavour, and if you don’t cough, then it means that you should only vape e-liquids with no menthol content.

Vaping Techniques and Coughing

When you smoke cigarettes, you are essentially pulling tobacco smoke into your mouth for a short time before sending it into your lungs. And since smoking involves combustion, it generally creates a strong throat hit and provides an immediate, harsh sensation.

Alternatively, vaping can be done in many ways. You can opt for mouth-to-lung (MTL) technique, which involves inhaling the vapour to your mouth then in your lungs. Direct-to-lung (DTL) technique, alternatively, requires you to inhale the vapour straight into your lungs for larger vapour clouds.

The distinction between smoking and vaping should be established since the latter takes some time before you can essentially perfect it. If this is your first time using an e-cig, then it is often normal to cough a few times during your first puffs. Once you’ve mastered the right vaping technique, you can essentially puff your e-cigarette continuously without coughing.

Typically, it could take you a week or two to learn the proper technique of vaping. However, if you’re still coughing after this window, then your vaper’s cough might be caused by other issues such as sensitivity to e-juice content, nicotine strength and type, and many more.

External Factors Contributing to Coughing

Coughing during or after vaping may be attributed to a number of external factors. These factors can then trigger more negative effects on your respiratory system and other body systems.

Some external factors that contribute to coughing when vaping include the following:

1. Environmental allergens: As mentioned earlier, chemicals in e-liquid such as PG and flavourings can sometimes trigger allergic reactions in a number of individuals. The same thing can happen when vape users use e-cigarettes in an environment where allergens are present. These allergens may include pollen, pet dander, or mould. Once you’re exposed to one of these allergens, you might experience throat irritation, which then leads to frequent coughing.
2. Air quality and pollution: When you want to vape, one of the things you must do is find a place where it is allowed. However, if the designated areas for vaping boast poor air quality or poor ventilation, then you might experience more coughing than in places with good air quality or ventilation. Vaping in areas like industrial sites, heavy traffic zones, or places filled with smoke or dust can somehow trigger a defensive cough, which intends to filter irritants from the environment.
3. Cold or overly dry environments: There are instances when your surrounding’s temperature drops significantly. Now, if you vape in a cold environment, the aerosol it produces can feel harsher, which can irritate your throat and lungs. Vaping in a dry place can also lead to dryness and discomfort since the cold air from the surroundings reduces moisture in your airways.
4. Dehydration: Your throat can become dry if you are using vape while you’re dehydrated since the aerosol produced by the device can feel harsher. So, staying hydrated in dry or warm climates can help you prevent coughing whenever you vape.
5. Stress or anxiety: While stress or anxiety doesn’t directly irritate your lungs, it can still tighten your chest or change your breathing pattern, which makes you sensitive to vapour. You may then cough when inhaling vapour from your e-cigarette due to shallow or rapid breathing.
6. Remaining tar: If you’re a past smoker and started to use vaping products, you might be coughing due to the remaining tar on your lungs. All the cigarettes you have puffed before can leave a huge amount of tar on your respiratory system. As you get rid of these tobacco products in your life, the tar on your lungs will slowly be pushed out of your body through coughing until you no longer have any of it. This is your body’s way of getting rid of the toxic sludge and keeping you safe.

If you want to ditch cigarettes and opt for vaping products, Native Smokes 4 Less is here to help. Our online store offers a wide range of disposable vapes and vape pens from different brands. They then come in plenty of flavours and nicotine strengths, ensuring you can get one that fits your taste.

Solutions for Vaping Cough

Vaping cough has been an issue for many vape users due to different reasons. Some of them might be sensitive to PG or certain flavourings, while others might be using vape devices improperly.

Even though you’ve figured out the main cause of your vaper’s cough, it’s still important to do a number of things to alleviate or even get rid of the said discomfort. Some of these solutions include:

1. Use e-juices with nicotine salts: One thing you can do to resolve vaping cough is to switch to nicotine salt-based e-juices. Vapes with nicotine salts are known to provide a smoother throat hit, which is far different from those with freebase nicotine which could be harsh to your throat and cause a vaper’s cough.
2. Reduce your nicotine concentration: If you’re a new vaper, using a high-strength vaping product right away may only irritate your throat right away, leading to coughing. Therefore, it’s essential that you opt for a vaping device with a low nicotine strength to avoid experiencing throat irritation, coughing, and other effects of too much or too strong nicotine.
3. Switch to a high VG vape juice: PG in e-liquids can create a slightly scratch throat sensation. Some find this satisfying, while others don’t like the sensation as it only leads to throat soreness. If you experience the latter, you must opt for vaping devices with a higher VG content.
4. Learn proper vaping technique: Vaping devices are designed for either MTL or DTL inhaling. Now, if you buy a vaping device without confirming its inhaling style, you might experience coughing due to inappropriate airflow qualities. To avoid this, consider buying a vaping device or kit that’s designed for your preferred style.Alternatively, you can adjust your device’s airflow if possible.
5. Replace your coil or pod: The condition of your vaping device, especially its coil or pod, can also contribute to coughing or a sore throat. If your vape coil has become burnt, your throat may become irritated, which leads to coughing or a sore throat. So, once the flavour of your vape starts to suffer, you should replace the badly burnt coil or your pod immediately.
6. Drink plenty of water: The VG and PG content of e-liquids can sometimes cause dehydration, which leads to a sore throat. Other dehydration symptoms that you may manifest include dry mouth and chapped lips. To prevent these things from happening, you must drink enough water during and after vaping sessions.
7. Avoid coffee and alcohol: Throat dryness may happen due to alcohol and coffee. So, when you drink these beverages, they can somehow worsen your cough. When vaping, try to limit or avoid your consumption of the said drinks.
8. Take cough drops or lozenges: Many products are available today that can resolve a scratchy throat. You can go for anti-inflammatory or local anesthetic ingredients for best results.

Doing these solutions might help you resolve coughing issues while vaping. However, if you still experience coughing and other health problems despite trying these measures, it’s advisable to consult your doctor immediately, as they could be caused by more serious health conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I cough every time I hit a vape?

You are coughing every time you hit a vape for many reasons. One of the reasons is the use of a vape with high nicotine strength. Another reason could be sensitivity to propylene glycol or flavouring. You might also cough every time you hit a vape due to the wrong inhalation technique.

Why is my vape making me cough a lot?

Your vape might be making you cough due to high nicotine levels, high PG e-liquid, poor quality vape juice, or burnt coil. Another possibility is that your device is producing too much vapour or hit, which could irritate your airways.

How do you stop vapes from making you cough?

To stop vapes from making you cough, you may want to opt for those with a low nicotine strength. You can also go for e-cigarettes with smoother e-liquids with more VG as well as adjust your inhalation technique. You can likewise take slower, gentler puffs, avoid chain vaping, stay hydrated, and ensure that your vaping device is clean and properly maintained.

Does vaping cause a lot of coughing?

Vaping can cause coughing, especially for those who are new to vaping as well as those who are sensitive to certain ingredients like PG and flavouring. However, once your body adjusts to the sensation of vaping as well as finds the right vape settings and e-liquid, you can expect the vaper’s cough to lessen.

Summary

Vapes or e-cigarettes make you cough due to a number of potential reasons. You might be using a vape with too strong nicotine content, or have been using vapes with the wrong inhalation technique. Vapes could also make you cough if you’re sensitive to some of their ingredients like PG and flavourings.

Knowing the reason behind your vaper’s cough can help you carry out solutions that could make your vaping experience smoother. Once you know why, it might be the best time to check why disposable vapes make you feel sick.