Why do I cough when vaping?

Why do I cough when vaping?? Causes and solutions for gentle steam enjoyment

It's a scenario, which many people switching from tobacco cigarettes to e-cigarettes know all too well: You take the first puff of your new e-cigarette, looking forward to the taste, and suddenly you have to cough violently.

no worries, You are not alone in this. Show studies and testimonials, that almost 50 % All beginners have to cough when vaping for the first time. The good news is: This urge to cough is usually only temporary and can be avoided with simple adjustments.

In this article, we will analyze and show you in detail the most common reasons for coughing while vaping, how you can fix this.

1. The wrong pulling technique: MTL vs. DL

Probably the most common reason, why beginners cough, is the wrong pulling technique. Smoking a tobacco cigarette is fundamentally different from vaping an e-cigarette.

When it comes to e-cigarettes, we differentiate between two main technologies:

• Mouth-to-Lung (MTL / Cheek steaming): The steam is first drawn into the mouth, collected there and only then inhaled into the lungs. This is similar to smoking a cigarette.
• Direct-to-Lung (DL / Subohm): The steam is breathed directly into the lungs without stopping, similar to a water pipe (Shisha).

The problem: Many beginners use one device, that for DL (lots of steam) is designed, but try it like a cigarette (MTL) to smoke. Or they pull too hard and directly on a small pod system.

The solution:

• For smokers: Choose an MTL device with a tight draw resistance. Pull gently and evenly (ca. 3-4 seconds), collect the steam in your mouth and then inhale.
• Avoid hasty pulling: A short one, Heavy puffs don't work well with e-cigarettes and often result in coughing.

2. Nicotine strength too high

Nicotine provides the so-called “Throat Hit” – scratching or feeling of pressure in the throat, that smokers often look for. However, the nicotine concentration is too high for the selected power of your e-cigarette, The pleasant pressure turns into an unbearable scratching sensation, which causes immediate coughing.

The solution:

• Check your nicotine strength.
• If you Subohm (DL) steam (big clouds), you should maximum 3 mg to 6 mg Use nicotine.
• If you Cheek steaming (MTL) (small clouds), are 9 mg to 18 mg usual, but perhaps too strong to begin with. Try, reduce the dose gradually or use it Nicotine salt (Nic Salts). Nicotine salts have a more neutral pH value and are significantly less scratchy in the throat, even at high concentrations.

3. The mixing ratio: Propylene glycol (PG) and glycerin (VG)

E-liquids mainly consist of two components: Propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG).

• PG (Propylene glycol): Is the flavor carrier, but also takes care of that “Hit” in the throat. High levels of PG can irritate and dry out the throat.
• VG (Vegetable Glycerin): Provides dense steam and is very gentle on the throat.

The problem: Some people are sensitive to PG. A liquid with 50% PG or more can cause them to cough.

The solution: Switch to one “High VG” Liquid (z.B. 70% VG / 30% PG). These are softer and thicker. Achten Sie jedoch darauf, that your evaporator head is suitable for thick liquid (large drainage holes).

4. Power setting too high (Watt)

Modern e-cigarettes allow this, to adjust the wattage. If you turn the power up too high, becomes the heating element (der Coil) too hot.

1. The steam becomes too hot and irritates the respiratory tract.
2. The liquid evaporates faster, than it can flow, resulting in a burnt taste (“Dry Hit”) leads.

The solution: Look at your atomizer head (Coil). A recommended watt range is usually engraved there (z.B. “20-30W”). Always start on lower end this recommendation and slowly work your way up.

5. The evaporator head is burned

Nothing makes a vaper cough faster than a burnt coil. Evaporator heads are wearing parts. After 1 bis 3 weeks (depending on usage and liquid) the cotton becomes clogged or burns.

Signs:

• The taste is metallic or burnt.
• The steam is extremely scratchy in the throat.
• The development of steam decreases.

The solution: Replace the coil immediately. Be sure to leave the new coil after filling the tank 5-10 Stand in the liquid for minutes, so that the cotton can soak up, before you fire.

6. Dehydration: An underestimated factor

The ingredients PG and VG are hygroscopic, That means, they absorb moisture from their environment. When you vape, These substances remove moisture from the mucous membranes in your mouth and throat. A dry throat is extremely prone to irritation and coughing.

The solution: Drink more water! If you vape regularly, you should also increase your fluid intake, to keep the mucous membranes moist.

7. The “Smoker's cough” and the cilia

Sometimes it's not the e-cigarette at all, but on your body, which regenerates.

If you have smoked for years, were the cilia in your lungs (which are responsible for removing dirt) stunned or damaged by the tar. If you stop smoking and vape instead, these cilia begin to work again and regenerate.

This “cleaning” the lungs can lead to this, that you have to cough up more mucus in the first few weeks. This is a positive sign of healing, but is often wrongly blamed on vaping.

Cough checklist

If the next puff makes you cough, go through this checklist:

1. Train technology: I pull slowly and evenly (MTL) or too hastily?
2. Nicotine: Is the liquid too strong?? Should I try nicotine salt??
3. Device: Is the wattage set too high?
4. Coil: Does it taste burnt?? The head needs to be changed?
5. Liquid: I can't tolerate the PG? Do I need more VG?
6. Water: Have I drunk enough??

Vaping is supposed to be fun and a less harmful alternative to smoking. Don't give up right away - with the right settings, coughing will soon be a thing of the past.