Why Do Vapes Make Me Cough?

You pick up your vape, take a puff, and expect a smooth, satisfying inhale. Instead, you're met with an unexpected cough that catches you off guard. If you've ever wondered, "Why do vapes make me cough?" After all, vaping is supposed to be a much less harmful alternative to smoking, according to the NHS. Coughing when vaping for the first time is a common occurrence. But why does vaping make you cough, and more importantly, how can you prevent a vaping cough? Will this go away over time? This article will explore the common causes of the vape cough and useful tips to enjoy a smoother vaping experience.

Why Do Vapes Make Me Cough: Common Causes and Fixes

People who have recently switched to vaping often cough when using a vape for the first time because vapour is denser than cigarette smoke. As a result, the first few puffs can irritate the throat and trigger a cough. However, there are many other factors too that can cause you to cough when vaping, including:

• Sensitivity to propylene glycol (PG)
• Higher nicotine content
• Inhaling vapour like cigarette smoke
• A dry or partially burnt coil  

Sensitivity to Propylene Glycol (PG)

The main ingredients of any e-liquid are propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG), constituting approximately 80% of the e-liquid composition. PG is responsible for delivering the throat hit and helps to imitate the smoking sensation. You may experience coughing and a dry throat if you are using e-liquid with a higher PG content or if you have a PG intolerance. Coughing caused by high-PG e-liquids can also occur when they're used with a high-powered vape device or sub-ohm kit. 

How to Fix It:

If you're sensitive to certain VG/PG ratios, switching from a 50/50 blend to a high-VG e-liquid, such as 70/30 VG/PG, may provide a smoother vape. Because vegetable glycerine (VG) is thicker than PG, high-VG e-liquids work best with sub-ohm devices that produce enough power to vapourise the liquid efficiently. Using the right device helps maintain flavour, vapour production, and overall performance.

High Nicotine Content

Using an e-liquid with a high nicotine strength at the beginning of your vaping journey may be tempting, but it's one of the most common culprits behind vape cough. New users may experience a sharp throat hit, especially if they switch from smoking to a vaping device with nicotine salts, and coughing can happen fast. Nic salts often provide a smoother inhale but can trigger throat irritation if you're using a high-performing device, vaping with a tight airflow, or taking frequent puffs in a short period. 

How to Fix It:

If you are new to vaping, try using low-nicotine vapes with 10mg of nicotine strength. If you are a regular user and find yourself coughing with every puff, switching to nicotine salts is a better option than freebase vape liquids. They provide a smoother vaping experience and are often gentler on the throat. 

Inhaling Vapour Like Cigarette Smoke

Mouth-to-lung (MTL) and direct lung (DL) are two common inhaling techniques many vapers use. With mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping, you draw the vapour into your mouth first before inhaling it into your lungs, much like smoking a cigarette. Direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping, on the other hand, involves inhaling the vapour straight into your lungs. 

Users who are new to vaping naturally gravitate towards MTL vaping because it gives them the same throat sensation that they are familiar with. Many new vapers do so because it feels closest to what they already know. However, they often inhale too quickly or too forcefully, sending a strong stream of vapour to the back of the throat, which can trigger an instant cough.

How to Fix It:

Try taking slower, gentler puffs instead of inhaling the way you would when smoking a cigarette. Let the vapour hold in your mouth for a moment before inhaling it into your lungs. However, remember that holding vapour in your mouth for too long before inhaling can also trigger a coughing fit.

Thinking of switching to a more sustainable vape? Read our guide to eco-friendly vape alternatives in the UK! 

A Dry Or Partially Burnt Coil  

A dry or burnt coil can create unpleasant vapour and make you cough. A burnt coil does more than produce an unpleasant taste. It can leave your throat feeling irritated, with a sensation that many vapers describe as sharp or peppery. A poorly primed coil can affect the quality of the vapour you're inhaling, resulting in dry hits that irritate your throat. 

The harsh throat hit is also a sign that vapour is contaminated by overheated vape juice or degraded wick material. Similarly, if you have not properly primed your new coil, it can cause a chesty coughing fit. 

How to Fix It:

If your cough started after changing a coil, the solution may be as simple as replacing the coil. Let your coil fully saturate with e-liquid and use a lower wattage for the first few minutes to avoid throat irritation and dry hits.

Shop Quality Vapes and E-liquids at E Juice Couture!

A smoother vaping experience always starts with choosing quality vapes and e-liquids. Whether you are looking for the best MTL vape for beginners or want a smooth-throat-hit e-liquid, E Juice Couture is the best online vape shop in the UK for all your vaping needs. Browse our range of vape kits for beginners and advanced users, plus a variety of e-liquids, including nic salts, 10ml e-liquids, and shortfills, at great prices. Order now!