First time e-cig user question......

[hon143]

I recently purchased a V2 e-cig. I noticed that smoking the e-cig seems "harsher" on my throat and lungs than regular cigarettes. Is that normal?

This doesn't seem right. I used to smoke Dunhills Internationals and switched to Dunhill Blue (Lights) a few yrs ago. When I use the e-cig, I feel it in my throat and chest for 30 minutes or so. It's a feeling of discomfort. I'm thinking that it may be due to the fact that the "smoke" in the e-cig is basically water vapor and it could be irritating my throat and airway. Could that be possible?

 

[Spooner77]

I recently started vaping and noticed this as well. I was a Newport smoker for a long time so I was surprised when vaping felt harsher than smoking, but that feeling went away after a couple of days. It's only been 10 days for me, but I can honestly say that I breathe better now than I have in a long time, and the harshness has gone away entirely. I'm not sure how long it's been for you, but I'd suggest giving it a little more time or perhaps trying a different liquid.

 

[captcpu]

Could be irritant, so as always, watch it closely. I'd also suggest a few things. First, try lowering the nic strength of the cartos. Second, vaping a PV isn't like smoking a cigarette (which is a Good Thing!). You need to draw on it pretty gently and for longer length of time then you would with a cig. So, say 4-5 second gentle drag instead of 1 or 2 second puffs. Puffing on it to hard can cause a burning throat hit feeling sometimes and a burnt taste.

That said, if the discomfort continues, stop until you can talk to a medical professional about it!

Good luck!

 

[swedishfish]

What kind of juice are you using? Are they prefilled carts? If so, it's probably chinese juice some people find that harsh juice. Other's like it for the throat hit. You could get a juice that's a mixture of PG/VG. Very likely if it's prefilled carts it's 100% pg.

 

[NicLiq]

Are you using pre-filled cartridges? Often, they are harsher than most juices purchased from the suppliers recommended here.

Also, a blend of PG and VG should help a lot. When I first started, I would have said the same thing. I used 100% PG the first few days. Later on, I would notice the harshness the first hour or so each day and then it would go away. Now I never get that feeling.

 

[countrygirl1291]

I noticed the same thing. I had to change the way I used my PV. When I smoke an analog (and yes, I'm still smoking some of those), I do a mouth draw and then a lung draw. With the PV, I've learned to skip the lung draw because it makes me cough. So I vape my PV more like a cigar. I do several vapor-intense mouth draws for each hit.

 

[hon143]

Currently, I'm just using the pre-filled cartridges from V2. I also ordered only the lightest nicotine level (6 mg). I'm a noobie.....what does PG and VG stand for?

Also, and this may be the cause, I've quit smoking on an everyday basis for about a year. I only smoke "socially" now. So, it's only a couple cigs a week, if that. However, I don't get that feeling when I smoke a real cigarette.

By the way, does anyone have any suggestions on finding e-cig juice that mimics real Dunhills? The pre-filled V2 cartridges don't cut it for me. It has an odd slight sweetness to it.

 

[hon143]

Could be irritant, so as always, watch it closely. I'd also suggest a few things. First, try lowering the nic strength of the cartos. Second, vaping a PV isn't like smoking a cigarette (which is a Good Thing!). You need to draw on it pretty gently and for longer length of time then you would with a cig. So, say 4-5 second gentle drag instead of 1 or 2 second puffs. Puffing on it to hard can cause a burning throat hit feeling sometimes and a burnt taste.

That said, if the discomfort continues, stop until you can talk to a medical professional about it!

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice. I'll have to try the gentle inhalation method that you suggested. I've been taking pretty forceful puffs like I would with a regular cig.

 

[NicLiq]

I might end up repeating someone (so sorry in advance)..

PG is propylene glycol, that is what is the base ingredient in your pre-filled cartridges. It is harsher on the throat and since it has sat inside the cartridge for a long time, that probably contributes to the harshness.

VG is vegetable glycerin.

Many people like a blend of about 70% PG and 30% VG. It lessens the harshness and increases the vapor production without losing flavor.

I don't know about tobacco flavors, I haven't found one that tastes like a cigarette, so I went to fruit flavors within a few weeks of vaping. The closest thing I have used that resembled a tobacco cigarette is Backo from Backwoods Brew.

 

[Dalton63841]

I should add one more note here...If it is abnormally uncomfortable, or you develop other symptoms, you could have a PG allergy. It is not terribly common, but read through the forums for a list of symptoms. IF that is indeed the case, switching to VG may do the trick.

 

[Rickajho]

I recently purchased a V2 e-cig. I noticed that smoking the e-cig seems "harsher" on my throat and lungs than regular cigarettes. Is that normal?

This doesn't seem right. I used to smoke Dunhills Internationals and switched to Dunhill Blue (Lights) a few yrs ago. When I use the e-cig, I feel it in my throat and chest for 30 minutes or so. It's a feeling of discomfort. I'm thinking that it may be due to the fact that the "smoke" in the e-cig is basically water vapor and it could be irritating my throat and airway. Could that be possible?

See here for a basic explanation:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/85612-newbies-proper-inhalation-technique.html

It sounds like a technique issue. Think of it more like taking a long suck on a straw, rather than using the same drag technique you do with a cigarette. You're trying to get a mouthful of vapor and then inhaling, not a fast shot of it into your lungs and straight past your mouth like with a cigarette.

Rick

 

[JenVose]

I noticed this the first day, but I have changed the way I was originally vaping and I rarely if ever notice it any longer after just about a week of vaping. Originally, I was taking deeper drags than I would on an analog, right off the bat, so that I'd get the satisfaction of lots of vapor. I'd get a really harsh throat hit, followed by coughing, and I'd still feel it in my throat and chest for the next 30 minutes or so, as you've described. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do anything about it - it felt like the vapor was very hot, almost scorching.

Which led me to shorter puffs, which I knew wouldn't be a satisfying alternative to analogs because I wouldn't have the visible vapor or the deep, relaxing inhales.

But, I noticed the shorter puffs and taking in just a little of the vapors at first allowed my throat to relax and accept the newness of it all. So I began experimenting with longer, deeper, more satisfying puffs again.

Now, whenever I begin a vaping session, I start with a few quick puffs in and out to "prime" my throat, gradually working up to the deeper, more satisfying puffs. Seems to work like a charm.

 

[hon143]

So, I tried it with the gentler inhalation and it's better. I still feel it slightly after I vap. But, it's not as bad. I guess it's just a matter of time and practice.

Also, I just tried a new flavor cartridge today and noticed that the cartridge gets really hot. Is that normal?

 

[captcpu]

So, I tried it with the gentler inhalation and it's better. I still feel it slightly after I vap. But, it's not as bad. I guess it's just a matter of time and practice.

Also, I just tried a new flavor cartridge today and noticed that the cartridge gets really hot. Is that normal?

Good to hear it's better! It does take a little practice, but I think ultimately as you branch out to other flavors, you'll find it much more satisfying!

No worries about it getting really hot. That's normal. Usually, unlike a cig, you'll draw the PV two or three times and then let it set for 30-60 seconds to cool down. (Although I tend to chain vape now, I had the exact same experience with my first V2 kit as well.)

Some great advice in this thread and keep reading the intro stuff here at ECF. Next step... The Flavor Trail Phase. Watch your bank account.

As for Dunhill flavor... Honestly I've never had a vape that tasted like a cigarette. Not even close. That bothered me at first, but now coming up on 6 months of vaping, like many others here, I find that to be an awesome thing. Vaping is simply better. TIFWIW, but the best suggestion, to me, is to find a flavor you like and forget about the cig flavor. As I tell the people at the smoke hole at work... "You ain't lived until you've smoked a grape."

Vape on!

 

[atbdrummer]

I've noticed this too. I get a "burning" sensation, for lack of a better word. I actually like it. I've found that this is caused by the nicotine. I also found out that when trying to talk right after inhaling and have not exhaled, it tickles your throat and makes you cough a little. It dims after awhile but I've never found it to go away completely.

 

[ardelleg]

I inhaled smoke for about 45 years.... my throat/lungs could immediately tell the difference between smoke and vapor and wouldn't let the vapor in.... I wound up using the ecig like a cigar, not actually inhaling, for several weeks before I could actually inhale.... So at first I just concentrated on the taste and the vapor. Now after 4+ months it is more like a cross between smoking a cigar and a cigarette.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

PG is hygroscopic, meaning that it pulls out moisture and it will dehydrate you. This can also increase the irritant factor, so it's important to make sure that you drink plenty of water. You might find it will make the PG a little easier to vape.

I can't stand a lot of throat hit, so I vape a 60/40 PG/VG mix.

Sent from my Super Top Secret Android Device using an alien version of Tapatalk.

 

[DaDoc]

well put just what i was gonna type

Vape On

I might end up repeating someone (so sorry in advance)..

PG is propylene glycol, that is what is the base ingredient in your pre-filled cartridges. It is harsher on the throat and since it has sat inside the cartridge for a long time, that probably contributes to the harshness.

VG is vegetable glycerin.

Many people like a blend of about 70% PG and 30% VG. It lessens the harshness and increases the vapor production without losing flavor.

I don't know about tobacco flavors, I haven't found one that tastes like a cigarette, so I went to fruit flavors within a few weeks of vaping. The closest thing I have used that resembled a tobacco cigarette is Backo from Backwoods Brew.

 

[hon143]

So, when ppl vap, do most smoke it like a cigar where you're not really getting it into your lungs? Or, do they alternate it? I'm so used to sucking cig smoke deep into my lungs to get the most nicotine out of each puff, it feels weird just doing it cigar-style.

 

[Panky]

So, when ppl vap, do most smoke it like a cigar where you're not really getting it into your lungs? Or, do they alternate it? I'm so used to sucking cig smoke deep into my lungs to get the most nicotine out of each puff, it feels weird just doing it cigar-style.

I use mine like I used to smoke cigarettes. Draw into the mouth and then into the lungs. I am not sure how much nicotine you would get if you only inhale into the mouth. Possibly you could alternate once you are completely done with cigarettes and want to ingest less nicotine but for now I would suggest using it like a cigarette. I find it works best. Also, alot of people need time for their throat/lungs to get used to vapor instead of smoke.