Timeline of the Evolution of Electronic Cigarettes

1930s
The concept of an electronic cigarette was first proposed by Joseph Robinson.
1960s
Herbert A. Gilbert patented a “smokeless non-tobacco cigarette,” but it didn’t gain traction.
1979
Phil Ray and Norman Jacobson worked on ways of delivering nicotine without combustion.
1990s
The term ‘vaping’ became popular as people started considering alternatives to traditional cigarettes.
2003
Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, developed the modern e-cigarette design following his father’s death due to lung cancer.
2006
Electronic cigarettes were introduced to Europe and the United States.
2008
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that it does not consider electronic cigarettes a legitimate smoking cessation aid.
2009
The US FDA publicly expressed concern about e-cigarettes, particularly their safety and marketing tactics used by their manufacturers.
2010
The popularity of e-cigarettes increased significantly, creating a thriving community of ‘vapers.’
2011
The first Vape Fest event was held for vaping enthusiasts.
2012
Studies began to emerge showing that e-cigarettes might be less harmful than traditional smoking.
2013
E-cigarette sales in the US appeared to double, reaching an estimated $1.7 billion.
2014
Oxford Dictionaries named ‘vape’ the word of the year.
2015
Public Health England stated that e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
2016
The US FDA extended its regulatory authority to include e-cigarettes.
2017
A report suggested e-cigarette users are likelier to quit smoking.
2018
Juul, a popular e-cigarette brand, was scrutinized for its high nicotine content and popularity among teenagers.
2019
Reports of lung injury associated with vaping began to rise sharply in the US, leading to widespread concern and calls for stricter regulation.
2020
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns were raised about the potential for vaping to exacerbate the risks associated with the virus.
2021
Research continues into the long-term effects of vaping, both in terms of its potential as a smoking cessation tool and its overall safety profile.
2022
As the global vaping market expands, there is an increased focus on regulatory and compliance measures to ensure product safety and prevent underage usage. Research on the health implications of vaping intensifies, leading to improved designs and safer products.
2023
Predictions indicate a growing trend towards vaping as a smoking cessation tool. Simultaneously, technological advancements lead to the development of smarter, more user-friendly e-cigarettes like Elf Bar BC5000. However, the debate on the long-term health effects of vaping remains a hot topic among health professionals and researchers.