Many smokers get quite strong coughing fits when they try E-cigarettes for the first time and there are many who therefore give up before they really start. If you are one of them, you are not alone. There are survey studies showing that over 50% of all E-cigarette users who were asked had problems with coughing when they first started with the E-cigarette. The research supports this. Coughing and sore throat are the most common side effects when starting with E-cigarettes.
A temporary effect
For most, coughing is only a temporary side effect. It is over 50% of everyone in the survey who have had problems with coughing at the start, but over 90% say it stopped after a while. More about the E-cigarette's side effects you can read here.
Why do you cough when using the E-cigarette?
Irritating substances in the vapor
Why do we cough? Most people who vape will probably say that it is propylene glycol that is responsible. About 10% of the population are sensitive to propylene glycol (the proportion of those who are allergic is smaller). In addition, there is the possibility that unknown ingredients, pathogens and byproducts in the vapor cause coughing. It does, however, lead to a question.
Why do you cough initially but not when you are used to E-cigarettes?
It seems there is no concrete answer at present. One possibility is of course that the body gets used to the substances in the vapor.
No anesthetics
Furthermore, some experts believe that tobacco smoke contains substances that are specially added to prevent smokers from having to cough. Chris Price from ECigarette Politics argues that this is the reason you can inhale tobacco smoke but have difficulty breathing when you stand in the smoke from a campfire even though plant material is burned in both cases. Some of the 9600 constituents in cigarette smoke that we have identified so far are such that the smoke does not seem as irritating and that you do not cough. Such anesthetics and cough suppressants do not exist in E-cigarettes, which could be the reason you cough when starting with E-cigarettes.
The technique you use
Then there is also your puff technique. Many smokers draw cigarette smoke directly into the lungs. Many who use E-cigarettes draw the vapor first into the mouth and then down to the lungs. It happens quite often that you experience that you have to cough when you use the same technique with the E-cigarette as you previously used with the regular cigarette.
Could the technique be the reason why we cough so much when we start using the E-cigarette, but not when we are used to it? Surveys refer to the idea that technique makes a difference, at least for some who use E-cigarettes. Almost half of those asked didn’t really know if it helped them switch technique, but there are also over 30% who say it did. It seems to vary from person to person which technique works better. It probably depends on the fact that everyone has different devices and liquids.
The regrowth of the cilia
When you smoke you gradually affect the small, hair-like structures in your airways. These are called cilia. When you quit smoking they regrow eventually. A side effect of the regrowth is coughing. By the way, this is just one of the side effects you can experience when you quit smoking. Here you can read more about E-cigarette side effects also in connection with quitting smoking.
Some believe that the regrowth of the cilia is what causes coughing in new E-cigarette users. It could also explain why beginners still cough after they have used the E-cigarette for a while after quitting smoking. It does not, however, explain why a smoker who uses 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 least once you know that nicotine-free liquids produce much less “throat hit.” A higher nicotine strength leads to a vapor that stings more and therefore it is also more likely that you cough. On the other hand, some vapers need a stronger E-juice to succeed with the switch to E-cigarettes.
Your E-cigarette
The E-cigarette you use can also be part of the reason you cough. For example, many cough when they first try Sub Ohm.
If coughing is a problem for you, it may be a good idea to start with a completely “normal” E-cigarette. You should however keep in mind that research shows that more advanced devices promise more success regarding your quitting. You thus need to find a balance. The reason you usually have more success with an advanced E-cigarette is probably that they deliver nicotine faster and more efficiently than old or “normal” models.
Dehydration
Both PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerin) attract water which helps with the vapor you see when you exhale. However, here and there it can lead to dehydration and a sore throat which can make you cough.
4 strategies to get rid of the cough when you switch to E-cigarettes
1. Experiment with different techniques
As mentioned, it varies from person to person which puff technique works best. Many think it leads to less coughing when you draw the vapor into the mouth first and then into the lungs, but there are also vapers who have experienced the exact opposite.
So it is important that you experiment a bit and thus find the technique that is right for you. Each person is an individual experience. Try things out a bit.
2. Change the ratio between PG and VG
If you continue to cough even after the first attempts, it is a good idea to change the ratio of PG and VG you use. Most e-juices consist largely of PG and VG. VG is softer and many vapers with powerful box mods experience that they need a liquid with a lot of VG to avoid coughing.
A small portion of people need 100% VG e-juices, but these can wear coils faster than other liquids.
3. Experiment with nicotine strength
We have already seen that nicotine strength has a large influence on your throat hit. If you have problems with coughing you can temporarily reduce the nicotine strength and see if it helps.
However, note that research shows that it is not the nicotine but the smoke that is dangerous when you smoke regular cigarettes. When you have become used to E-cigarettes it can be good to raise the nicotine again so that you really manage without regular cigarettes.
4. Drink lots of water
We mentioned earlier that PG and VG can have a dehydrating effect. You can easily counteract that by drinking a lot of water. Many people find that drinking lots of water helps when they switch from regular cigarettes to E-cigarettes.
There are also some other solutions that may be worth trying. When you, for example, inhale more quickly more air passes by your coil. That could also help avoid coughing. So also experiment with how quickly you inhale. It can also help to exhale more slowly and more controlled. Some vapers also believe in adding a little menthol.
The positive side effects of the E-cigarette
When you think about giving up the E-cigarette right after trying it, it can be good to look at all the positive effects it has.
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 really quit smoking. Usually the switch has an extremely positive effect on breathing, sense of smell, sense of taste, fitness, and overall well-being.
