In recent years, vaping has become incredibly popular, and for many people, it’s a pleasure they look forward to every day.

However, some people find that vaping makes them cough – so in this post, we look at why this is and explain how to vape without coughing.

Why does vaping make you cough?

Although most people know that smoking tobacco tends to make you cough, many new vapers may be surprised when they take their first puffs only to find that vaping can also bring about a fit of coughing – but why is this?

There are several reasons why vaping makes you cough, and for new vapers, it is usually related to not using the correct technique.

If you have started vaping as a way of giving up cigarettes, it’s natural to vape in a similar way to how you smoked, but the way you smoke doesn’t necessarily translate to how you should vape.

For example, taking large puffs or puffing too quickly on a vape may result in throat irritation, which will cause you to cough.

However, sometimes the ingredients of the vape juice you are using can also make you cough.

Two of the most common ingredients in vape juice are propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG), and they are both found in practically every commercial vape juice on the market.

PG in particular is related to the “throat hit” that mimics the feel of smoking a cigarette, something many vapers enjoy. However, for some people who are not used to it, the hit of PG on the throat may cause coughing.

Furthermore, both PG and VG dry the membranes in the mouth and throat, and this may lead to coughing – and some people may even have an allergic reaction to these substances.

Finally, the nicotine in vape juices can also irritate the throat, something that can also cause you to cough.

How to inhale vape smoke without coughing?

If you’re having trouble vaping without coughing, there’s no need to worry because there’s a lot you can do to improve things – and usually, the changes you’ll need to make will only be very minor, so now let’s have a look at some of the things you can try.

1. Take smaller puffs

One of the simplest things you can try to reduce your coughing when you vape is just to take smaller puffs.

It’s common for smokers or ex-smokers who come to vaping to want to take big puffs since they think they’re already used to it.

However, vaping isn’t smoking, and they can be surprised when a big puff induces uncontrollable coughing fits.

Instead, taking smaller puffs can produce a much more pleasant sensation – and you can then build up to taking bigger puffs if you prefer once you’re more experienced.

2. Take longer breaks between puffs

Similarly, heavy smokers or ex-smokers who may have been used to smoking quickly may try to replicate this when they vape – but vaping quickly without taking enough of a break between puffs will also make you cough.

Again, the solution is obvious – give yourself a little more time between puffs. This may be all you need to do to stop coughing.

This may take a little getting used to. After all, if you take big breaks between puffs on a cigarette, it will just burn out. However, this is not an issue with vaping, and adapting to this is part of the learning curve.

3. Change to a vape juice with less PG

Although PG and VG are ubiquitous in vape juice, the ratios of the two ingredients are not fixed.

Juices with higher proportions of PG produce a stronger throat hit, which some people enjoy, but for others, it can be too much to take.

As a result, if you are experiencing a strong throat hit that makes you cough, the answer could be to switch to vape juices with higher amounts of VG instead.

These juices will produce bigger clouds of vapor, but the throat hit will be less intense, and the smoother experience may mean you don’t cough as much.

Alternatively, some people may have mild allergic reactions to either PG or VG, so try experimenting with juices with different ratios to see which one works best for you.

4. Change to a vape juice with less nicotine

Similarly, the nicotine in vape juice can make some people cough, especially with juices that have very high nicotine content.

This means trying juices with lower amounts of nicotine might help reduce your coughing, and if you need to, you can build up to juices with more nicotine as you become more accustomed to vaping them.

Alternatively, you could try vape juices that are nicotine-free if you aren’t vaping as a way of giving up smoking.

5. Try an MTL vape instead of a DTL

Most people who smoke cigarettes breathe smoke into their mouths before they inhale it into their lungs, but vaping offers two different options: MTL and DTL.

MTL stands for Mouth To Lung, and this is the same as breathing smoke into your mouth before you inhale.

DTL, on the other hand, stands for Direct To Lung and involves you inhaling the vapor directly into your lungs without holding it in your mouth first.

Many experienced vapers prefer the DTL method, but it can be strange for former smokers or those who are new to vaping – and many people find it makes them cough.

This means switching to an MTL vape can be a simple solution if your DTL vape is making you cough.

6. Change your settings

Sometimes using the wrong settings on a vape can make you cough, so adjusting them slightly may also help you cough less.

For example, if the wattage is set too high, the vapor can be too hot when it hits your throat, and this can set you off coughing.

This means all you need to do is change the settings to stop your coughing – so play around with the different options to see if it leads to any improvements.

7. Change your vape device

Your vape device could also be the reason for your coughing, so you might consider changing that.

For example, if you have a powerful sub-ohm mod vape designed to produce huge clouds of vapor, this could be the reason why you cough so much.

For new vapers especially, these more complex devices can be difficult to use properly, so choosing something easier might be a better option for newbies.

For example, if you want to try vaping but don’t want to commit to spending lots of money on an expensive and complicated device, something like the Jack’s Flash 9000 Puffs disposable from Spiritbar would be ideal.

These vapes are designed to be easy to use and provide vapers with up to 9,000 puffs per device.

That way, you can use the device for several months, enjoying the benefits of a high-quality vape without committing to buying a more expensive vape that might not agree with you.

8. Change the flavor

Some flavors such as menthol or citrus flavors may make some vapers cough, and vape juices from certain brands may also make you cough due to allergic reactions to other ingredients in the flavorings.

This means switching to a different flavor or a different brand of juice may be all you need to do to stop coughing when you vape.

9. Change your coil

One common issue that occurs, especially with new vapers, is that they forget to change their coils.

However, this is something that needs to be done regularly since coils can quickly become dirty and clogged, which will reduce the quality of your vape and make you cough.

How often you need to change your coil will depend on how often you vape, but most people will need to change their coil at least every couple of weeks – and no longer than once a month.

10. Drink plenty of water

Since PG and VG both give you a dry mouth and throat after vaping, one of the keys to reducing coughing is to make sure you drink plenty of water before, during and after each time you vape.

This way, your throat and mouth will remain hydrated, and you will suffer from less irritation and coughing.

11. Keep at it!

Finally, remember that it’s normal to cough when you start vaping, but it’s something that usually passes very quickly.

This means if you are new to vaping, a little perseverance may be all you need for the problem to disappear on its own.

Vaping is a much healthier alternative to smoking, so for former smokers especially, try to stick with it – because switching to vaping from smoking will be beneficial to your health in the long run.

Small changes in technique or equipment

Coughing when vaping is very normal, and usually, it stops quickly after people get used to vaping.

However, even if you find your coughing persists, it’s usually just a case of making minor adjustments to your vaping technique or equipment – and after that, you will be able to enjoy your vaping without it making you cough and spoiling your pleasure.

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