Vapor Virgin... All pain, no pleasure

[MemeNPop]

Hello to all.
My daughter recently started vaping to quit smoking and has been encouraging me to do the same. So she bought me a starter kit and mailed it to me along with a flavor she thought I would like.

I charged the battery and filled the cartridge and was ready to go, took a small puff into my mouth, the taste was good. I inhaled just a bit but immediately I started having a coughing fit that wouldn't stop for about 10 minutes. I really wanted this to work so I tried a few more times throughout the evening with the same results.

Here is what I know about the juice she sent
American made
50/50 PG-VG
Cinnamon/Caramel flavor
24mg nicotine

I usually smoke 1 pack a day of ultra-light 72s and I know that using an inhaler for asthma makes me cough radically also(PG?).

I have read that cinnamon can be harsh and that PG is partially responsible for throat hit and I am sure the nic is way too high for me. But I don't know which element to alter first to see what is causing the problem.

So my question is where do I need to go from here? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Carrie

 

[Maximum Chips]

I found that I coughed quite a lot when I first started vaping. If you wind up switching exclusively to vaping, the coughing problem should disappear.

While you're getting accustomed to vaping, perhaps you could just draw the vape into your mouth and hold it rather than inhaling. Just a suggestion.

 

[Abra]

Hi Carrie,
I'm new to this too but two things cross my mind. First, try drawing the juice into your mouth before bringing into your lungs, it's a smoother and tastier hit. And maybe try 100% vg, that might work better for you.
Good luck, keep trying! I'm on day 11 of not smoking, and so many folks have successfully made the switch. You can too! Just might take a bit to find what works for you.

 

[Zak Rabbit]

Depending on what kit she sent you, if it's variable voltage, you can try lowering that...

 

[brfrompa]

I've had coughing from the coil of the cartomizer being dry. Dry hits are the devil. It might be better today.

Not sure about cinnamon, sounds like it could be harsh. I have personal experience with higher PG being harsher than VG. Maybe start with 70% VG or "Max" VG. 24mg of nicotine is pretty high. You might be OK at a lower dose and still get the satisfaction you need.

Boge cartomizers are cheap and work well. Could be your cartos are an issue. Hard to say. Any burnt or metallic taste is a carto issue. Dry or something.

If you find a gentler vape your throat is sure to get better being away from the stinkies.

Brent

 

[jefsview]

Hello. And welcome to ECF. I'm sorry to hear that your first vaping experience has not been satisfactory.

But neither was your first smoking experience.

Smoke and vapor are not the same thing, and it will take a while to get use to it. Also, the inhalation technique for vaping is more akin to cigar smoking, with drawing into your mouth, then down into your throat and lungs. Most of the nicotine will be absorbed into your cheeks/mouth/nostrils, not much from your lungs.

The nic level is probably too high for a smoker of ultra-lights. You need 18 or 12. Always start a bit higher, to ward off the cravings until you get used to vaping.

And you do absorb and retain the nicotine differently than while smoking. You will find yourself vaping more than you smoked.

Also, a cinnamon flavor to start you out with was a bad idea. Cinnamon can be a harsh vape, combined with the high nicotine.. I would have coughed too, but cinnamon does that to me.

Try another flavor and lower the nic strength, but don't give up. Vaping is really easy after the first few days of getting used to it, and the flavors available keep you smiling.

 

[MemeNPop]

Thank you for your replies. I did read the post on here somewhere about how to vape as opposed to smoking and I thought I was only drawing it into my mouth and holding it there and then inhaling but after the first try I just began holding it in my mouth and not attempting to inhale at all. It still made me cough but I am going to go to a B&M this weekend and try to find a smother flavor and lower the nic. I really want this to work because I have tried everything else to stop smoking with no success.

 

[Debra_oh]

You might want to visit a local vape shop and try different flavors. Here is one i found and there may be others

Charlotte E-Cigarettes, Charlotte E-Cigarette Store | MadVapes

Here is a list of other shops

State of North Carolina

 

[Zak Rabbit]

That's a great idea, I always recommend going to one just to set up a relationship, test new juices and find other people in your situation that you can get great ideas from. We'll always be here to help you through it though.

 

[Sweetab]

I would try a 100% vg juice. Try the fruity juices first, as they are not as "harsh". Perhaps lowering your voltage would be good too! Happy vaping

 

[nmackan]

Get vegetable glycerin dilute your liquid with that. this way you dilute pg also. try that it worked for me. But better still buy a 100% vg liquid with less nic level. this way you see what causes your cough.

 

[DorsaiMaster]

I would definitely suggest getting a lower nic concentration and some new juices. I smoked Marlboro Reds or 30 years and found that 24mg nic juice was way too much. I moved to some 18mg juices and have had a much better experience.

 

[madqatter]

Smoke and vapor are not the same thing, and it will take a while to get use to it. Also, the inhalation technique for vaping is more akin to cigar smoking, with drawing into your mouth, then down into your throat and lungs. Most of the nicotine will be absorbed into your cheeks/mouth/nostrils, not much from your lungs.

The nic level is probably too high for a smoker of ultra-lights. You need 18 or 12. Always start a bit higher, to ward off the cravings until you get used to vaping.

The inhalation technique jefsview mentioned.

Experiences vary quite a lot, but for whatever it's worth: I smoked a half pack of Camel blues (the "lights") a day. Anything over 12mg of nicotine feels harsh to me. I stay in single digits whenever possible.

 

[james chapman]

I love cinnamon,but if I take a heavy hit,its coughing spasms. I have gotten where I can take it better and since I DIY,can make it to my liking. You have seen that You Tube video where the kids try to inhale Cinnamon powder? Try some other flavors and Vg/Pg mixes,but don't give up.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Hi and welcome to ECF. Congrats and it sounds like you've got a cool daughter
Most vapers begin at either 18 or 24 mg nicotine.
The cinnamon would definitely add to the throat hit/ TH.
50/ 50 PG/ VG should be okay UNLESS you have a sensitivity to PG. Not a common issue but some do have it.
I would also suggest you visit Madvapes and sample some of their juices.
You could also go to Walmart and buy some inexpensive Glycerin USP (in the first aid Section) and try adding 3 parts nic juice to 1 part VG- shake well. If that's still too strong try 2 parts nic juice to 1 part VG.
Juice Components
Flavoring usually about 5- 15%- could be higher or lower depending on the flavor used.
PG enhances flavor, TH and lung hit- water like - many of us believe PG to be a throat irritant.
VG= vapor and can mute flavor- thick
Nicotine- TH, lung hit and our need for nicotine. The MOST important ingredient in regards to TH and lung hit.
Standards in the industry are 80/ 20 or 70/ 30 PG/ VG.

Best of Luck.

Hello to all.
My daughter recently started vaping to quit smoking and has been encouraging me to do the same. So she bought me a starter kit and mailed it to me along with a flavor she thought I would like.

I charged the battery and filled the cartridge and was ready to go, took a small puff into my mouth, the taste was good. I inhaled just a bit but immediately I started having a coughing fit that wouldn't stop for about 10 minutes. I really wanted this to work so I tried a few more times throughout the evening with the same results.

Here is what I know about the juice she sent
American made
50/50 PG-VG
Cinnamon/Caramel flavor
24mg nicotine

I usually smoke 1 pack a day of ultra-light 72s and I know that using an inhaler for asthma makes me cough radically also(PG?).

I have read that cinnamon can be harsh and that PG is partially responsible for throat hit and I am sure the nic is way too high for me. But I don't know which element to alter first to see what is causing the problem.

So my question is where do I need to go from here? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Carrie

 

[madqatter]

You have seen that You Tube video where the kids try to inhale Cinnamon powder?

The problem there is not the flavor, per se, it's inhaling powder. That can freaking kill someone.

 

[Evi|grin]

Cinnamon kills me too in a PV eliquids. Ive tried several and they all make me cough. I usually get a local mint flavor called Icy Mint and the girl recommended i try Icy Spicy.

I about died.

 

[Baditude]

I agree with what everyone has posted thus far.

The nicotine strength is a bit too high, 12- 18 mg would be better.

Cinnamon is probably the strongest of all flavors; likely not a good choice for a first flavor. Find a milder flavor to use next. The possibilities are endless. Fruit, candy, desert, coffee and teas, tobacco, etc. Some people even vape flavorless.

Long, gentle draws work best. Draw into the mouth like sucking on a straw in a thick milkshake. Inhale a little, or just exhale through the mouth and nose.

Drink PLENTY of water. These e-liquids dry out our mucus membranes and can cause dehydration.

 

[hnsenter]

If you are used to smoking ultra lights, you might want to switch to 6 mg nicotine. I would also suggest not taking a direct lung hit, try reserving the vapor in your moth before a complete inhale. Additionally, you can also try opening up your moth a little on the tip so that a little bit more air can come through.

 

[Katya]

Cinnamon is a known lung and mucous membrane irritant. If you have asthma, please stay away from cinnamon. Certain citrus and clove flavorings are also questionable, IMO. Some people vape them without any ill effects, I don't. If it cracks plastic, I don't want it my lungs--just my opinion, mind you, so please, take it for what it is.

Here's an interesting exchange I had once with our resident chemist and my chemistry guru, Kurt:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...u-vape-cinnamon-flavors-read.html#post3839424

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...u-vape-cinnamon-flavors-read.html#post3906345

In case you can't open my links yet, here they are:

Thanks for posting this! It is most likely neither that is being used for flavorings, rather it is an artificial mixture of mostly cinnamaldehyde and related esters. There is likely no coumadin in any cinnamon e-liquids.

That said, the dangers I see from cinnamon vaping have nothing to do with the liver, but from cinnamaldehyde itself. This is a KNOWN lung and mucus membrane irritant and can cause ulcers and lung damage. I know chewing too much cinnamon gum will give me mouth sores. There are many posts here in the Health Forum related to throat, mouth and lung problems from vaping cinnamon e-liquid. To honest, I don't think cinnamon e-liquid should be sold, or else it should have a warning. Some are fine with it, but many get severe reactions that can become quite scary. In almost all cases, the vaper thought it was vaping in general causing the problems, then someone asks what the juice was, and it was Cinnabomb or some such hot cinnamon juice.

As I said, some do not have any obvious issues with cinnamaldehyde, but the compound does have a long history of causing such problems. I avoid hot cinnamon, as it will also cause a flair up of Crohn's disease, which I have and have to watch diet for.

To be honest, Katya, I don't know. I did some searches, but couldn't find what it is exactly. Guesses: cinnamic acid esters or salts. They would be less hot than the aldehyde. Maybe there are other cinnamon-like flavors out there too. Linda at TPA will probably know, and she will tell you too. Safety? Haven't a clue. Cinnamaldehyde is a reactive aldehyde. It will etch some plastics.

I have had countless PMs from people asking me how much cinnamon is safe, what % to use to make a safe juice, what about water-soluble forms, cinnabun flavor, on and on. I generally say I don't know, but I don't vape cinnamon, and here's why, link to wiki, etc. If people want to vape it, fine. Chances are you won't end up in the ER, or worse, but you might, and I have seen some pretty serious posts here from people who have ended up in the ER, with throats closing up. I don't think it should be sold to vape, but its not my call, nor is it illegal. Its not illegal to sue either.

We have 1000s of safe flavors to choose from. I personally cannot even eat much cinnamon, so my interest is helping others vape it is pretty limited. My interest in keeping others from having a vaping-related ER visit is pretty high, however, as it should be for everyone else here. 10% of 1000 people is 100 potential threats to us. The media won't care if it is from a flavor.

Hairball, I don't know what Annette's flavoring is, but an organic extraction of hot cinnamon WILL contain cinnamaldehyde. Has to, organic or not. There are many cinnamons from around the world, some hot, some floral, like Ceylon cinnamon. If it is hot, it has more aldehyde, in general. And a full extract flavoring, which I did not consider before, may contain coumadin.

And yes, as others have already suggested, lower your nicotine strength to 8-12 mg or so.