Many smokers experience fairly severe coughing fits when they try e-cigarettes for the first time, and many therefore give up before they really get started. If you are one of them, you are not alone. Surveys show that over 50% of all e-cigarette users who were asked had problems with coughing when they first started using e-cigarettes. Research supports this. Coughing and sore throat are the most common side effects when starting to use e-cigarettes.
A temporary effect
For most people, the coughing is only a temporary side effect. Over 50% of those surveyed had problems with coughing at first, but over 90% say that it stopped after a while. You can read more about the side effects of e-cigarettes here.
Why do people cough when using e-cigarettes?
Irritating substances in the vapor
Why do we cough? Most people who vape would probably say that propylene glycol is responsible. Approximately 10% of the population is sensitive to propylene glycol (the proportion who are allergic is smaller). In addition, it is possible that unknown ingredients, contaminants, and by-products in the vapor cause coughing. However, this raises a question.
Why do people cough at first but not once they are used to e-cigarettes?
At present, there does not seem to be any concrete answer to this. One possibility is, of course, that the body gets used to the substances in the vapor.
No anesthetics
In addition, some experts believe that tobacco smoke contains substances specifically added to prevent smokers from having to cough. Chris Price from ECigarette Politics believes this is the reason why one can inhale tobacco smoke but has difficulty breathing when standing in the smoke from a campfire, even though plant material is burned in both cases. Some of the 9,600 substances in cigarette smoke that we have identified so far prevent the smoke from seeming as irritating and prevent coughing. Such anesthetics and cough suppressants are not found in e-cigarettes, which could be why people cough when they start using e-cigarettes.
The technique you use
Then there is also your inhalation technique. Many smokers draw cigarette smoke directly into their lungs. Many people who use e-cigarettes, on the other hand, draw the vapor into their mouths first and then down into their lungs. It is quite common to feel that you have to cough when using the same technique with an e-cigarette that you previously used with a regular cigarette.
Could the technique be the reason why we cough so much when we start using an e-cigarette but not once we are used to it? Surveys indicate that technique makes a difference, at least for some e-cigarette users. Almost half of those asked were unsure whether changing their technique helped, but over 30% said that it did. However, which technique works best seems to vary from person to person. This is probably because everyone uses different devices and liquids.
The regrowth of cilia
When you smoke, you slowly destroy the tiny, hair-like structures in your airways. These are called cilia. When you stop smoking, they gradually grow back. One side effect of this regrowth is coughing. This is, incidentally, only one of the side effects you may experience when you stop smoking. Here you can also read more about the side effects of e-cigarettes in connection with smoking cessation.
Some believe that the regrowth of the cilia is what causes coughing in e-cigarette beginners. This could also explain why beginners continue to cough after they have used an e-cigarette for a while after quitting smoking. However, it does not explain why a smoker using an e-cigarette for the first time coughs.
Nicotine strength and “throat hit”
If you are an experienced vaper and have tried nicotine-free e-juice at some point, you know that nicotine-free liquids produce much less “throat hit.” A higher nicotine strength results in vapor that feels harsher, and therefore coughing is also more likely. On the other hand, some vapers need a stronger e-juice to successfully switch to e-cigarettes.
Your e-cigarette
The e-cigarette you use may also be part of the reason you cough. Many people cough, for example, when they try sub-ohm vaping for the first time.
If coughing is a problem for you, it may be a good idea to start with a completely “ordinary” e-cigarette. However, you should still keep in mind that research shows that more advanced devices offer greater chances of success when it comes to quitting smoking. You therefore need to find a balance. The reason people generally have more success with an advanced e-cigarette is probably that these devices deliver nicotine faster and more efficiently than older or “ordinary” models.
Dehydration
Both PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerin) attract water, which helps create the vapor you see when you exhale. However, this can sometimes lead to dehydration and a sore throat, which may make you cough.
4 strategies for getting rid of coughing when switching to e-cigarettes
1. Experiment with different techniques
As mentioned, which inhalation technique works best varies from person to person. Many find that drawing the vapor into the mouth first and then down into the lungs leads to less coughing, but there are also vapers who have experienced exactly the opposite.
It is therefore important to experiment a little and find the technique that is right for you. Everyone has an individual experience. So try different approaches.
2. Change the ratio of PG to VG
If you continue coughing even after the first attempts, it is a good idea to change the ratio of PG to VG you use. Most e-juices consist largely of PG and VG. VG is smoother, and many vapers with powerful box mods find that they need a liquid with a high VG content to avoid coughing.
A small proportion of people need e-juices with 100% VG, although these may wear out coils faster than other liquids.
3. Experiment with the nicotine strength
We have already seen that nicotine strength has a major influence on your throat hit. So if you have problems with coughing, you can temporarily reduce the nicotine strength and see whether it helps.
However, keep in mind that research shows that it is not the nicotine but the smoke that is dangerous when you smoke regular cigarettes. Once you have become accustomed to e-cigarettes, it may therefore be a good idea to increase the nicotine again so that you can truly manage without regular cigarettes.
4. Drink plenty of water
We mentioned earlier that PG and VG can have a dehydrating effect. You can easily counteract this by drinking plenty of water. Many people find that drinking lots of water helps when switching from regular cigarettes to e-cigarettes.
There are also some other solutions that may be worth trying. For example, when you inhale faster, more air passes over your coil. This could also help prevent coughing. So experiment with how quickly you inhale. It may also help to exhale more slowly and in a more controlled manner. Some vapers also believe in adding a little menthol.
Positive side effects of e-cigarettes
When you are considering giving up on e-cigarettes immediately after trying them, it may be helpful to look at all the positive effects they have.
While most negative side effects are mild and temporary, research shows that the positive effects of using e-cigarettes can be enormous, especially after you have truly given up smoking. In general, switching has an extremely positive effect on breathing, the sense of smell, the sense of taste, fitness, and general well-being.
