Well, I'm at 11 days now... My smoker's cough is pretty much nonexistent at this point, but I like you have been clearing my throat more often. I think it could just be your body purging itself of the crap that is the inevitable result of 23 years of smoking.
As far as the vapor hitting your throat a lot harder... This side effect is starting to go away. You're getting your nicotine in a different medium now, so again it may just take some time to become more used to the adjustment.