HISTORY OF VAPING - WHEN WERE VAPES INVENTED?

Key Takeaways

• Modern Vaping Began in 2003 - Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, invented the first commercially successful e-cigarette in 2003 as a safer alternative to smoking.
• Early Concepts Date Back to the 1960s - The first patent for a smokeless, flavoured vapour device was filed in 1963 by Herbert A. Gilbert—but it never reached the market.
• Vaping Has Grown into a Global Harm Reduction Tool - Since the mid-2000s, vaping has evolved into a popular alternative to smoking—especially in the UK, where it's widely supported by health authorities.

When Were Vapes Invented?

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), more commonly known as E-Cigarettes, was an idea that seemed so futuristic, however the concept of a healthier alternative to smoking combustible cigarettes has actually been floating around since the 1920's! (1) However, the modern E-Cigarette that launched the technology we see today was invented by a Chinese inventor in 2003.

Who Invented Vapes and Why?

While the earliest electronic cigarettes were far from the easy-to-use vape refills of today, they were marvels at the time they were first introduced. An American man called Joseph Robinson created the first-ever electronic cigarette, unveiled officially in the year 1930. Joseph's invention was sadly never available for sale and was created for medicinal use only, and quickly faded into obscurity. By 1963 another American, Herbert A. Gilbert, had introduced a version of the electronic cigarette more similar to today's models (2).

This newer version did not use tobacco but instead was patented as "a smokeless non-tobacco cigarette" and used flavoured air turned into steam. Sadly, Herbert Gilbert's model didn’t catch on, the world still loved their cigarettes and the adverse health effects and dangers of smoking were not well understood. Another damning facet of the design was that Gilbert's version was nicotine free, and without the nicotine hit most smokers wouldn't even consider it.

The modern e-cigarette technology was created in 2003 by the Chinese inventor and pharmacist Hon Lik (3). Due to the death of his father from smoking, and being a 3 pack a day smoker himself, Hon Lik was determined to find a less harmful alternative to combustible cigarettes. He wanted to create something that had the all important nicotine hit and felt like a cigarette, but wouldn't have the same death toll.

His first attempt wasn't what we would think of as a e-cigarette. Instead of heating the e-liquid and producing vapour like we have now, Lik’s initial design used a piezoelectric ultrasound element (4), which is the same technology dehumidifiers use. This technically worked, but was too big to really use.
Hon Lik kept working on it though and by 2003 had created what we think of as the E-Cigarette.

What Types of Vape Are There?

There are several main types of vape across the E-Cigarette industry, each designed to suit different user preferences and experience levels.

1. Cigalikes are small, discreet devices that resemble traditional cigarettes and are often used by beginners due to their simplicity.
2. Pod systems are compact, user-friendly devices with pre-filled or refillable pods, popular for their ease of use and compatibility with nicotine salt e-liquids.
3. Vape pens offer a slim, pen-like design with larger tanks and more power, making them a step up from cigalikes.
4. Box mods or vape mods are advanced devices with customisable settings like adjustable wattage and temperature control, preferred by more experienced vapers seeking more vapour production and control.
5. Finally, disposable vapes are single-use devices pre-filled with e-liquid, ideal for convenience and a hassle-free experience, requiring no maintenance or refilling.

What Ingredients Are in Vapes?

Electric vaporisers typically contain a few key ingredients that make up the e-liquid, or vape juice, used in the device. The primary components are propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG), which form the base of the liquid. Propylene glycol is a thinner liquid that provides a stronger throat hit, while vegetable glycerine is thicker and contributes to larger vapour clouds. Nicotine is another common ingredient, though nicotine-free options are available for those who prefer it. The fourth main ingredient is flavourings, which are food-grade additives used to create a wide variety of vape flavours, from fruity to dessert-like to tobacco-based. Some e-liquids may also contain additives or sweeteners, but the core ingredients—PG, VG, nicotine, and flavourings—are what define most vape liquids.

The whole point of vape juice is that is isn't tobacco, so the vaping process avoids the formation of nasty chemicals like carbon monoxide and tar that occurs when smoking regular cigarettes. In addition to the elimination of the many other harmful constituents found in tobacco that have bad long-term health effects, removing the combustion process is a big reason why Public Health England's evidence reviews continue to find E-Cigarettes to be at least 95% less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes. While some users may experience side effects of vaping such as nicotine sickness and dry mouth, the positive effects from switching to E-Cigarette products happen incredibly soon and this includes everything from a bigger bank balance to reducing many of the risks associated with smoking!

Early Vapes

It wasn’t until 2007 that E-Cigarette devices made their way to Europe and the United States. Pretty soon after they were introduced their popularity exploded and it’s not hard to see why! Here was a less harmful alternative to cigarettes that smokers could satisfy their nicotine cravings with. While the designs of the E-Cigarette have changed, the concept that all three of these inventors tried to create hasn't. We now have E-Cigarettes in a whole host of flavours and strengths, and millions of people have been able to finally get off the cigarettes thanks to them!

When Were Disposable Vapes Invented?

Over the years, the technology evolved, leading to E-Cigarette manufacturers releasing disposable vapes—pre-filled, single-use devices that became popular due to their convenience and low maintenance. Disposable vapes gained significant traction in the late 2010s, especially among new vapers, as they require no refilling, charging, or coil replacements, offering a hassle-free vaping experience with minimal setup.

In the UK, disposable vapes are set to be a thing of the past - with concerns over how many underage teens are getting their hands on these disposable devices and E-Cigarette marketing towards youth, as well as the impact of exposure to nicotine on adolescent brains, in addition to the huge amounts of waste such as reusable lithium generated by disposable vapes, the UK government has announced a disposable vape ban coming into effect in 2025.

Are E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products the same thing?

Electronic cigarette devices and heated tobacco products are not the same, though they are both alternatives to traditional smoking. E-cigarettes (or vapes) use a liquid, called e-liquid, that typically contains nicotine, flavourings, and a base of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). The device heats the liquid to create a vapour that is inhaled. In contrast, heated tobacco products (HTPs) like IQOS heat real tobacco without burning it. Instead of vaporising a liquid, they heat the tobacco leaves to a lower temperature than traditional cigarettes, releasing a tobacco-flavoured aerosol. While both devices are designed to reduce the health risks compared to combustible tobacco products, they function differently and appeal to different preferences—e-cigarettes for those who prefer flavoured vapour, and HTPs for those who want a more authentic tobacco experience.

It is worth noting that because heated tobacco products still use dried tobacco, many of the harmful constituents are still present, even if the formation of tar and carbon monoxide is avoided, implying many of the adverse effects and risks from smoking are present with heated tobacco products, making E-Cigarette use likely the safer of these two.

Do Vapes Expire?

Yes, vapes, specifically the e-liquid inside them, do expire. Most e-liquids have a shelf life of about one to two years, depending on the ingredients and storage conditions. Over time, the propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG) base can degrade, causing changes in the flavour, consistency, and effectiveness of the vape juice. Nicotine may also break down, reducing its potency, while the flavourings can lose their intensity or taste off. Expired e-liquid may have a darker color, a different smell, or taste unpleasant. For best results, e-liquids should be stored in a cool, dark place, tightly sealed. While vaping expired juice isn’t necessarily harmful, it can lead to a poor vaping experience.

Are there harmful ingredients in E-Cigarettes?

It is of great import that in the UK and the EU the regulations surrounding E-Cigarettes have done the intended job of protecting the consumer - sadly the same cannot be said in the United States, where a lack of regulation led to an overreaction in terms of restrictions - with exciting flavoured E-Cigarettes being banned and only tobacco flavour E-Cigarettes given the go-ahead by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (5). Much of this is due to the bad marketing practices of some E-Cigarette companies that were found to be targeting school children, encouraging sales to minors.

We've learned about flavourings that should not be included in e-liquids, like diacetyl which has been known to cause a condition called 'bronchiolitis obliterans' or more commonly 'popcorn lung'. In well regulated markets, like the UK, known harmful ingredients have been prohibited from use in E-Cigarettes.
There have definitely been other lessons along the way, from people adding illicit substances to their vape juice resulting in EVALI (E-Cigarette and vaping associated lung injury). When headlines reference people harmed by E-Cigarettes, this is normally what they are referring to, however all instances of EVALI have had vitamin E acetate in the lung samples. Vitamin E acetate is being used to add in THC by vapers and black market suppliers - so avoid adding extras to your e-liquid and buy from a reputable sources.

What is a Vape Pod?

A vape pod is a compact and user-friendly vaping device that uses a small, pre-filled or refillable cartridge called a pod to hold the e-liquid. Unlike traditional vape tanks, pods are designed to be easy to use and typically snap or click into place on the battery section of the device. Vape pods are popular for their portability and simplicity, making them ideal for beginners or those who prefer a hassle-free experience. They often use nicotine salt e-liquids, which provide a smoother throat hit even with higher nicotine levels. There are two main types: closed pod systems, which come pre-filled and have disposable pods, and open pod systems, which allow users to refill the pods with their preferred e-liquid.

Best Cigalike UK

The best cigalikes in the UK offer a simple and satisfying alternative to smoking, designed to mimic the look and feel of conventional cigarettes. Leading options include the SMOKO E-Cigarette, known for its realistic design, smoking-like throat hit, and varying amounts of nicotine and a range of flavours. Cigalikes are perfect for beginners or those looking to transition from smoking to vaping, offering an easy-to-use, no-fuss experience with minimal maintenance required.

History of Vaping - When Were Vapes Invented - Conclusion

More and more studies are showing how effective E-Cigarettes are at helping people to quit smoking - potentially twice as effective as other forms of nicotine replacement, like a nicotine patch or nicotine gum. A very recent Cochrane Library review backs this up, firmly planting E-Cigarettes as one of the best tools we have to help people quit smoking! (6)

If you want to quit smoking regular cigarettes, check out our E-Cigarette starter kit range and make the switch to with SMOKO today!

FAQ: History of Vaping

Q1: When was the first vape invented?
A: The modern e-cigarette was invented in 2003 by Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist. He created the device as a less harmful alternative to smoking after losing his father to smoking-related illness.

Q2: Were there earlier versions before 2003?
A: Yes. The concept of a smokeless cigarette dates back to 1963, when Herbert A. Gilbert patented a device that produced flavoured, nicotine-free vapour. However, it was never commercially produced at the time.

Q3: When did vaping become popular in the UK?
A: Vaping began gaining traction in the UK around 2007–2009, with early cig-a-like devices. It grew rapidly in the 2010s with the introduction of refillable tank systems and more advanced technology.

Q4: How has vaping evolved since then?
A: From basic disposables and cig-a-likes, vaping has progressed to refillable pods, nicotine salts, and customisable mods. Today’s devices are more efficient, compact, and designed to better support smokers transitioning away from tobacco.

Q5: What role does the UK play in vaping today?
A: The UK is a global leader in vaping regulation and harm reduction. Public Health England has repeatedly supported vaping as 95% less harmful than smoking, and the NHS has even trialled e-cigarettes in stop-smoking services.

REFERENCES

(1) Historical Timeline of Vaping & Electronic Cigarettes

(2) Smithsonian: Plans for the First E-cigarette Went Up in Smoke 50 years ago

(3) Britannica: Hon Lik, Chinese pharmacist 

(4) How Piezoelectricity Works to Make Crystals Conduct Electric Current

(5) FDA Issues Marketing Denial Orders for Approximately 6,500 Flavored E-Cigarette Products

(6) Latest Cochrane Review finds high certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective than traditional nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) in helping people quit smoking

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Written by Dan Overgage