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Who Invented Vapes?
The modern e cigarette is credited to Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, in the early 2000s. An earlier 1960s concept by Herbert Gilbert was never commercialised.
The modern vape feels like a recent invention, so people often ask who invented it. The modern e cigarette is credited to Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, who developed it in the early 2000s. An earlier concept was patented decades before by an American, Herbert Gilbert, but it was never commercialised. This guide explains, alongside our guide on what vaping is.
Quick answer
The modern e cigarette is credited to Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, who developed it in the early 2000s, reportedly after his father died from a smoking related illness. An earlier idea for a smokeless cigarette was patented by American Herbert Gilbert in the 1960s, but it was never commercialised, so Hon Lik is widely regarded as the inventor of the modern vape.
Hon Lik and the modern e cigarette
The modern e cigarette, the basis of today''s vapes, is credited to Hon Lik, a pharmacist from China, who developed it in the early 2000s. He is widely reported to have been motivated by his father''s death from a smoking related illness, and by his own wish to find a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. His device used a battery to heat a nicotine liquid into a vapour, the principle behind vapes today.
Who invented vapes
| Person | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Hon Lik | Modern e cigarette, early 2000s |
| Herbert Gilbert | Earlier smokeless cigarette concept, 1960s |
| Gilberts device | Patented but never commercialised |
| Hon Liks device | Battery heats a nicotine liquid |
| Widely credited | Hon Lik, as the modern inventor |
The earlier idea
The concept, however, goes back further. In the 1960s, an American named Herbert Gilbert patented a design for a smokeless, non tobacco cigarette that heated a flavoured liquid. It was ahead of its time and was never commercialised or widely produced. Because of this, while Gilbert had the early idea, it is Hon Lik who is widely credited with inventing the modern, commercially successful e cigarette.
The modern vape is credited to Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, in the early 2000s. An earlier smokeless cigarette concept was patented by Herbert Gilbert in the 1960s but never commercialised.
Myths and facts
| Myth | The reality |
|---|---|
| Vapes are a brand new invention | The modern e cigarette dates to the early 2000s, with an earlier concept from the 1960s. |
| A single Western company invented vaping | The modern e cigarette is credited to Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist. |
| The 1960s concept started the industry | Gilberts 1960s design was never commercialised; Hon Liks later device launched the modern market. |
| Vaping has no link to quitting smoking | Hon Lik is reported to have created it as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. |
Frequently asked questions
Who invented vapes?
The modern e cigarette is credited to Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, who developed it in the early 2000s.
Why did he invent it?
He is widely reported to have been motivated by his fathers death from a smoking related illness and a wish for a less harmful alternative.
Was there an earlier inventor?
Yes, American Herbert Gilbert patented a smokeless cigarette concept in the 1960s, but it was never commercialised.
Who is usually credited as the inventor?
Hon Lik, as the creator of the modern, commercially successful e cigarette.
How does the original device compare to todays vapes?
It used the same basic principle, a battery heating a nicotine liquid into vapour, that vapes still use.
The bottom line
The modern e cigarette, the basis of todays vapes, is credited to Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, who developed it in the early 2000s, reportedly after his father died from a smoking related illness and out of a wish for a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. An earlier concept for a smokeless cigarette was patented by the American Herbert Gilbert in the 1960s, but it was never commercialised, which is why Hon Lik is widely regarded as the inventor of the modern vape.
More help and related reading
If this guide raised other questions, the Help and Guidance library has plain English answers to many more. The closely related pages below are worth a look, and you can always return to the main hub to browse every topic we cover. If you are unsure about a product or rule, our team and the official guidance are the best places to check.
Key things to remember
- Modern e cigarette credited to Hon Lik
- A Chinese pharmacist, early 2000s
- Reportedly inspired by his fathers smoking related death
- Earlier 1960s concept by Herbert Gilbert
- Gilberts design was never commercialised
How vaping grew from there
From Hon Liks early device, vaping grew rapidly. His invention used a battery to heat a nicotine liquid into a vapour, the same principle behind every vape since. Over the following years, devices became smaller, simpler and more varied, from early cigarette shaped models to todays pod kits.
The technology has continued to evolve, and UK regulation has shaped the market, capping nicotine strength and, more recently, banning single use disposables. But the core idea, a battery heated nicotine vapour as a less harmful alternative to smoking, traces back to Hon Lik.
A short timeline
| Era | Development |
|---|---|
| 1960s | Gilbert patents a smokeless cigarette concept |
| Not commercialised | Idea ahead of its time |
| Early 2000s | Hon Lik develops the modern e cigarette |
| Mid 2000s on | Vaping spreads and devices evolve |
| Today | Regulated, rechargeable pod kits |
A few more questions
Where is Hon Lik from?
Hon Lik is a pharmacist from China, widely credited with inventing the modern e cigarette in the early 2000s.
Do and don’t
Do
- Credit the modern e cigarette to Hon Lik
- Note the earlier 1960s concept by Herbert Gilbert
- Recognise it was created as a less harmful alternative
- See todays vapes as an evolution of that idea
Try not to
- Assume vaping is a brand new idea
- Credit a single Western brand
- Confuse the early concept with the commercial product
- Overlook how regulation has shaped the market
From invention to todays market
Hon Liks early device was cigarette shaped and relatively basic, but it proved the concept and launched a global market. As vaping spread, manufacturers refined the technology, leading to refillable tanks, pod systems and a huge range of flavours, and the simple, beginner friendly pod kits common today.
Regulation has shaped the journey too, particularly in the UK, where nicotine strength is capped and single use disposables have been banned. The result is a regulated market built on Hon Liks original idea of a battery heated nicotine vapour.
Invention to now
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Early concept | Gilbert, 1960s, not commercialised |
| Modern invention | Hon Lik, early 2000s |
| Early devices | Cigarette shaped, basic |
| Evolution | Tanks, pods, flavours |
| Today | Regulated rechargeable kits |
More questions answered
When were vapes invented?
The modern e cigarette dates to the early 2000s, credited to Hon Lik, with an earlier concept patented in the 1960s.
Why were vapes created?
Hon Lik is reported to have created the modern e cigarette as a less harmful alternative to smoking.
A couple more questions
Did Hon Lik patent the e cigarette?
Yes, Hon Lik developed and patented the modern e cigarette in the early 2000s, and it went on to launch the global vaping market.
Was the first idea British or American?
The earlier 1960s concept came from American Herbert Gilbert; the modern commercial device came from Hon Lik in China.
And finally
How long have vapes existed?
The modern e cigarette has been around since the early 2000s, with an earlier concept dating to the 1960s.
Have vapes changed much since then?
Yes, devices have evolved from basic cigarette shapes to todays pod kits, and UK regulation has shaped the market.
A quick word on safety and the law
Vaping and nicotine products are intended for adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. They contain nicotine unless stated otherwise, which is addictive, and they are not suitable for non smokers, pregnant women or anyone under 18. By law you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products in the UK, and we age verify every order. If you want to stop using nicotine altogether, your local stop smoking service offers free, tailored support.
UK public health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk free, and if you do not smoke the advice is not to start.
This guide is general information, not personal medical advice. If you have specific health concerns, please speak to a GP or pharmacist.
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