The first electronic cigarette was invented in 2003 and introduced to the world in 2004. Today, the global market of electronic cigarettes exceeds 32 billion dollars.

Many people think that vaping was developed by tobacco companies. However, in reality, the innovation came from one person - Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist who was searching for the best way to quit smoking.

Hon Lik also smoked throughout his life, but after the death of his father, he instantly quit smoking and vowed never to do it again, no matter how difficult it was for him. His father's death brought significant changes in his life, as the pharmacist used to smoke several packs a day before that. He was so dedicated to the goal of creating a harmless cigarette that he didn't need any further motivation. He wanted the act of smoking to be harmless not only for the smoker but also for those around them.

At that time, the methods to quit smoking were limited. He tried using high-nicotine patches to quit smoking but continued to search for another alternative. He experimented with traditional Chinese methods, including ginseng pills and deer antler, until the solution came to him. The inspiration struck him when he realized that nicotine replacement therapy didn't give him peace and didn't satisfy his needs.

One night, Hon Lik started having nightmares. When he went to sleep, he forgot to remove the nicotine patch he was wearing on his abdomen. He dreamt of drowning in huge clouds of vapor and said that the nightmare inspired him to create a nicotine product that would produce vapor from liquid instead of smoke. His concept became the idea behind modern vaping devices. It was meant to prove the other side of the health hazards.

Before him, other scientists had tried to develop something similar to an electronic cigarette, but their attempts were unsuccessful and involved something like nicotine inhalers that were sprayed into the person's mouth. This pharmacist's developments and designs had progressed significantly further. Hon Lik's father didn't quit smoking even when he was already sick. And Hon Lik's goal was also to create an invention that would help people quit smoking.

And as a result of productive work, he invents his first electronic cigarette, which can now be purchased in any corner of the world.

When releasing his products for sale, he didn't anticipate that his invention would help so many smokers and become widespread worldwide. Initially, his invention was promoted as a means to reduce the harm from cigarettes, but it has now been proven that they also assist in quitting smoking.

Electronic cigarettes are more effective than medications and other smoking cessation methods. This is because the smoker still receives a dose of nicotine, albeit in a smaller amount. This doesn't provoke them to return to cigarettes. It also creates the illusion of smoking, as electronic cigarettes operate in a similar manner to regular ones.