The evolution of the smokeless cigarette

The evolution of the smokeless cigarette started in 1963. Herbert A. Gilbert invented an electronic cigarette that did not produce smoke or use tobacco. The electronic cigarette heated a solution that contained nicotine into a vapor. It didn’t catch on and disappeared off the market by 1967.
In 2000, Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, invented the first generation electronic cigarette after his father died from lung cancer. Both were smokers. He invented a mechanism to heat liquid nicotine. It produced a smoke appearing vapor that could be inhaled into the lungs and thus into the bloodstream. Also, his idea included using diluted nicotine placed in disposable cartridges.

By 2004 the electronic cigarette was introduced in China as a smoking cessation aid. The original idea was to get people to stop smoking regular cigarettes and all the health hazards associated with it.
Hon Lik worked for Ruyan who started exporting the electronic cigarette in 2005-2006. In 2007 they obtained an exporting patent.
From 2003 through 2007, it was widely used in China. By 2006, it was used in Europe and introduced to the U.S. by 2007.
There was a problem with the early models. They would overheat and in some models the parts melted. Some models also didn’t create enough vapors.
Dr. Yunqiang Xiu invented the presently used system. It was patented in 2009 internationally followed by a patent in the United Kingdom in 2011. This e-cigarette, as they are also known, has a “tankomizer.” This is a sealed system with an atomizer.

As the electronic cigarette became popular some organizations wanted it banned. In 2008 the World Health Organization (WHO) was the first to ban the electronic cigarette as an aid to smoking cessation.
In 2009, as the e-cigarette gained popularity as a smoking alternative Canada and Australia imposed bans. In the U.S. the FDA halted shipments from China with the claim that the devices needed to be registered. The FDA wanted the products to be labeled for medical and pharmaceutical use only. They claimed the e-cigarettes posed a health hazard. Oregon and California imposed bans on sales. There were claims of marketing being aimed at minors. Today some states have imposed bans. The e-cigarettes can still be sold in the U.S. though.

Today most electronic cigarettes are sold in a kit with batteries, chargers, an atomizer, and liquid. The liquid comes pre-filled or self fill with different flavors such as tobacco, chocolate, clove, menthol, and cherry cola to name a few. Different milligrams of nicotine are also available.