Smoking and vaping both have something to inhale into your lungs but it does not have the same effect on your throat and airways. And you are not the only ones to be wondering why vapes cough you, whereas cigarettes do not always cause that reflex to such an extent. This paper disaggregates it with science, chemicals, research, comparisons and actual advice on how to safely use vapes in case you want to.
You can also read our detailed guide Vapes vs Cigarettes: Safer Alternative & Beginner’s Guide to better understand the differences, safety aspects, and which option suits beginners best.
The Difference Between Cigarettes and Vapes
Conventional cigarettes light fire and produce smokes. Thousands of chemicals, including carcinogenic and toxic ones are transported by that smoke. Tar and carbon monoxide are also products of cigarette smoke - these are elements that cover your lungs and ruin them with time.
E-cig/vapes do heat a liquid (also known as e-liquid or vape juice) into a spray (or rather aerosol) which you inhale. Most e-liquid are based either on propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerion (VG), which are combined with flavorings (and sometimes nicotine). This is not simply harmless water vapor in the air, it consists of small particles and is chemically colored that can cause irritation to your breathing system.
Why Vaping Often Causes Coughing
A. Irritation From Propylene Glycol and Glycerin
The vapor is made of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, though, when inhaled in the hot state they may irritate your throat and lungs. Dryness, burning or coughing are several reports of post vaping effects. Research indicates that the solvents may irritate the throat and they have the ability to induce coughing reflexes more effectively than cigarette smoke owing to the fact that the aerosol particles react with the mucous membranes within your throat.
B. Temperature and Aerosol Particle Size
Vape machines heat the e-liquid to produce an aerosol. The resulting particles may be extremely tiny and deep into the airways irritating nerve endings and resulting in cough. Particles of cigarette smoke do not act in the same way and long term smokers can have a weak cough reflex due to continuous exposure to smoke. That is one of the reasons why cigarettes may not cause cough to the habitual smokers immediately.
C. Flavorings and Other Additives
There are many flavoring chemicals that are not dangerous to consume, but have not been shown to be not dangerous to inhale. Others irritate or cause inflammation in the lungs and the throat. This annoyance may cause a cough in the course of breathing in vapor and in the case of very tasty or sweet liquids.
What's Inside Cigarettes vs Vapes
The following are some of the main chemicals and their health effects:
| Cigarette Smoke Contains | Vape Aerosol Contains |
|---|---|
| Tar: Gummy material which accumulates in the lungs and airways. | Nicotine: It is an addictive substance in cigarettes and most of the e-liquids. |
| Carbon monoxide: Decreases the oxygen capacity of blood. | Propylene glycol/ VG: Will form aerosol, however, irritating. |
| More than 7,000 chemicals, formaldehyde, benzene, arsenic and polonium-210. Many are known carcinogens. | Flavor chemicals Not all tested on inhalation safety. |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): As in the case of formaldehyde. | |
| Byproducts of the heating elements in the form of trace metals. |
Thus, although vapes do not usually contain as many toxic compounds as cigarettes, it is possible that the majority of the substances contained in vape aerosol will irritate your lungs or make you cough, particularly at the beginning of vaping.
What Studies Say About Respiratory Effects
It has been demonstrated that both vaping and smoking cause irritation of the lungs, albeit in a different manner:
- A medical study released results that vaping (with or without nicotine) could decrease the oxygen consumption in the lungs right after administration, indicating irritation and involvement of airways. It emphasizes that even non-nicotine substances are dangerous to the health of the lungs.
- According to other public health studies, aerosols of e-cigarettes may include small particles and chemicals that accumulate in the deepest points of the lungs and provoke irritation, bronchitis, as well as other symptoms, such as cough.
Old-fashioned smoking is still associated with chronic pulmonary illness, cancer and high death rates, yet the coughing reflex in a few smokers seems to become numb with time, which could also be the reason why habitual cigarette smokers do not cough as much at the first place.
The effects of vaping over the long term are still under research by scientists, and we are yet to see the whole picture.
So Is Vaping "Safe"? The Short Answer
There is no product that can be inhaled without the involvement of coming into contact with chemicals that can be considered safe. Nevertheless, this is how the experts tend to see the differences:
- Cigarettes are much more toxic in general, and the number of fatal illnesses associated with the long-term smoking habit is extensive.
- Vaping is not regarded as the as harmful as smoking primarily because it does not lead to the emission of tar and carbon monoxide due to burning tobacco.
Cancer Research UK
Yet vaping is not harmless. Most companies fail to reveal all chemical ingredients and the long-term effects of inhaling flavorings, PG/VG aerosol and other products resulting are not established fully.
How to Vape With Less Coughing (Safe Practices)
In case one decides to vape instead of smoke, the following are some of the tips that should be followed to help minimize coughing and irritation:
A. Start with Lower Nicotine
E-liquids with a high concentration of nicotine may lead to stinging of the throat and coughing. Novices do not usually start with high strength nicotine salts (such as 3-6 mg/mL).
B. Pick Milder Flavorings
There are spicy, sweet flavorings that are more irritating. Sweet or simple flavor found in fruits is easier on the throat.
C. Adjust Your Device Settings
The hot air creates severer aerosol. The reduced wattage or temperature can be expected to create a smoother inhale.
D. Hydrate and Pace Yourself
Vaping dries the throat and the mouth that would worsen cough. Preludes and postures are helpful when drinking water.
E. Don't Chain Vape
The more the puffs one takes, the more irritated. profess frequent pauses between puffs.
Recommendations for Beginners vs Advanced Users
Beginners
- Select low nicotine e-juices.
- Use simple PG/VG ratios like 50/50.
- Begin with entry-level kits/ pods systems - they create less harsh vapor.
Advanced Users
- Provided experience, play with more VG ratios to inhalation with less difficulty.
- Less power can be used to minimize cough and throat hit.
- No alterations or unchecked fluids - it is a question of safety.
Important Precautions
Although it may be possible to avoid coughing as much with vaping as with cigarettes in the long run, it has risks:
- Vaping has also been associated with lung irritation, bronchitis, heart changes, as well as respiratory issues.
NSW Health
- Other disposable vapes have also been discovered to produce large amounts of toxic metals exceeding cigarette smoke in some tests.
The Times
Vaping and smoking together (dual use) is more harmful than it is threatening.
In case a person wishes to stop smoking completely, it has been proven that a mixture of mindfulness, replacement drugs, and medical advice is the best path to follow.
Conclusion: What You Should Know
Vaping causes coughing that is normally due to chemical irritation and the aerosols that your lungs are not accustomed to. The initial cough power caused by cigarettes might not be so high due to the fact that in most cases the airways of smokers alter or become damaged with time. Both are products that have chemicals in them but cigarettes have thousands of substances that are damaging and the vape aerosol has fewer but may still be irritating. Should you however decide to vape, then do so at a slow pace, with the right amount of nicotine, and with less hazardous habits.
