Throat Hit – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

“Throat hit” is the sharp, satisfying sensation you feel at the back of your throat when you inhale vapour from an e-cigarette. It mimics the “kick” smokers get from tobacco smoke and is one of the main reasons ex-smokers find vaping convincing. A strong throat hit feels crisp and slightly tingly; a mild one is smooth and almost creamy. By adjusting nicotine strength, PG/VG ratio, power settings and even the type of tank or coil, vapers can dial the hit up for a cigarette-like punch or down for relaxed direct-lung clouds.

Technical Details

The hit is created when nicotine, propylene glycol (PG) and certain flavour molecules activate receptors in the throat’s laryngeal mucosa. Higher nicotine (≥12 mg in a mouth-to-lung tank), higher PG (60-70 % PG) and acidic pH all increase intensity. Devices running 12–18 W with 1.0–1.6 Ω coils give the classic “cigarette” hit, while sub-ohm setups at 40 W plus mute the hit because vapour volume dilutes nicotine per millilitre. Some advanced mods offer Temperature Control (TC) with Wire“>Titanium Wire or 316L SS to keep the wick below 220 °C, preventing “throat burn” from dry cotton. Australian e-liquids must be TPD Compliant, so maximum nicotine sold locally is 20 mg/mL in 10 mL bottles—still enough for a solid hit when paired with the right coil.

Usage & Tips

  • Too harsh? Lower nicotine, switch to 50/50 or high-VG juice, open airflow, or reduce wattage.
  • Too weak? Raise nicotine slightly, choose 60/40 or 70/30 PG-dominant juice, or use a tighter-draw MTL tank.
  • Chain-vaper’s cough: Stay hydrated; PG dehydrates mucosa. Consider menthol or koolada flavours that cool instead of sting.
  • Safety: Never add extra nicotine “boosters” beyond the bottle’s label—over-dosing can cause nausea. If using Top Fill bottles, recap immediately to keep nicotine from oxidising and becoming peppery-harsh.

History & Context

Early cig-a-likes (2006-2010) delivered a weak hit, prompting mixers to boost PG and nicotine salts. The 2014 sub-ohm boom swapped throat hit for giant clouds, but pod systems and 25 mg nicotine-salt juices (2017) restored the punch while staying TPD Compliant overseas. Today’s Australian vapers balance hit, flavour and cloud by choosing between high-resistance MTL tanks and low-nic DL setups.

Share the Post: