I wasn’t prepared for the unpleasant coughing fit that followed my first attempt at vaping. As a former smoker, I assumed that vaping would be like inhaling wonderfully smooth candy.
It turned out that I was completely mistaken. In comparison to most tobacco smokers, e-cigarettes use a totally different manner of inhalation. Something I faintly recall my friend warning me of before getting an “I told you so” moment later.
How many new e-cigarette users cough during vaping?
As previously stated, I was the type of person who coughed almost immediately after taking too long and too harsh a drag. This is a typical problem for smokers who switch to electronic cigarettes, so my findings were not surprising.
My immediate, unscientific answer to this question would be to reply “most of the time”. Yet, according to a poll of 600 vapers, 57% of them began coughing after their first vape hit.
Reasons behind coughing while Vaping:
Coughing while vaping can have various reasons, including:
- Irritation of the throat: Vaping can cause throat irritation due to the high temperature of the vapor, the flavorings, or the nicotine content. This irritation can lead to coughing as a reflex to protect your airways.
- Sensitivity or allergy to certain ingredients: Some people may be sensitive or allergic to some of the ingredients used in e-liquids, such as propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin. This can cause an inflammatory response, leading to coughing.
- Inhaling too deeply: Inhaling too deeply while vaping can also cause coughing. Vaping should be done in short, shallow puffs to avoid irritation and coughing.
- High nicotine concentration: If you are using an e-liquid with a high nicotine concentration, it can cause coughing as your body tries to expel the excess nicotine.
- Other underlying respiratory conditions: If you have an underlying respiratory condition such as asthma or bronchitis, vaping can exacerbate your symptoms and lead to coughing.
If you are experiencing frequent or severe coughing while vaping, it is recommended that you consult with a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying medical conditions and to discuss the best course of action for you.
Best Alternatives to Stop Coughing while Vaping:
Moving from smoking to vaping can be a challenging transition. It will take some time to acclimatize to puffing on a vape after being used to one medium. Many smokers require numerous attempts to switch to vaping, and even then, many struggle to quit smoking altogether. Thus, there are certain ways to stop coughing while vaping that are discussed as follows:
- Try to Use Versatile Techniques:
The fundamental distinction between tobacco and e-cigarettes is the change in technique. Some learners understand to inhale smoke immediately into their breathing, while others draw smoke into their mouth before inhaling it. This can present problems for a smoker who switches to vaping.
Whereas one strategy may work for smoking, it may not work for vaping. In my own experience, I first started by drawing vapour into my mouth before inhaling. Although I can now take directly into my lungs without coughing, it took some time.
- Try to Alter Juice Ratio:
The body of e-liquid is made up of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). This liquid mixture is responsible for the dense clouds of vapour that e-cigarettes are famous for. Everything else, including tobacco and flavourings, are additives that alter the taste and feel of e-juice.
PG has the potential to be irritating, as well as some individuals are allergic to it. The degree of roughness, termed as a throat hit, is determined by both PG and nicotine. Getting a blend with a greater VG to PG ratio is a smart approach to smooth up e-juice.
- Keep yourself Hydrated:
Vaping, like smoking, dehydrates the body, so keep a glass of water nearby. This is particularly true for new vapers who start chain vaping. It is simple to start puffing without realizing until an individual points it out. Moreover, my suggestion is to always have a water bottle and chopstick on hand.
- Take Time to Alter Coil:
After some time of use, an e-old cigarette’s coil will need to be replaced with a new one. The cotton wick that absorbs the liquid is heated to create vapor. Following repeated use, the cotton will become scorched and coated with carbon. Furthermore, it is hard to pinpoint when a coil should really be changed. A coil may last a month or as little as a week for some vapers. Yet, there are two unbreakable rules.
- Reduce the wattage or limit the airflow:
An overly powerful equipment may cause a number of serious problems. In general, the more powerful the gadget, the higher the wattage, the more vapour is produced, and the hotter it becomes. Coughing is caused by the latter two factors.
Because there is nowhere else for the vapour to go, it condenses within the lungs, throat, and mouth. This can irritate users, especially those who use larger hits or love holding vapour in their lungs for extended periods of time.
- Quit Chain Vaping and Slow Down:
It’s really enticing to start puffing cloud after cloud. It’s tempting, but it’s not good for an e-cigarette.
Not only this, but when e-liquid begins to heat up, the likelihood of it overflowing the chamber increases. As a result, instead of the predicted cloud of vapour, heated juice is spat into the user’s mouth. Another issue is that the wick may not have enough time to soak between hits. A ‘dry hit’ can result from this.
