Sanlei's Sharing: The Past and Present of E-cigarettes

E-cigarettes have now become a globally popular nicotine alternative product, but their development history is much longer than most people imagine. From early experimental devices to modern intelligent atomization technologies, the evolution of e-cigarettes is filled with innovation, controversy, and forgotten history. This time, Sanlei will take you through the "past and present" of e-cigarettes and reveal those little-known stories of their early development.

Many people think that e-cigarettes are a product of the 21st century. In fact, similar concepts emerged nearly a hundred years ago. In 1927, American inventor Joseph Robinson submitted a patent named "Electric Vaporizer," which described a device that generates vapor by heating a liquid with electrical energy. This patent was not specifically for nicotine delivery but for medical atomization (such as inhaling medications), yet its principle is highly similar to that of modern e-cigarettes. Due to technical limitations at that time, this invention failed to be commercialized.

In 1963, American Herbert A. Gilbert applied for a patent for a "smokeless non-tobacco cigarette" that used heating a liquid to produce inhalable vapor. His design even included replaceable "flavor capsules," similar to today's cartridges. Despite Gilbert's active promotion, his invention failed to gain market recognition due to the strong tobacco industry at that time and the public's insufficient awareness of the harm of smoking.

The real commercialization of e-cigarettes is attributed to a Chinese pharmacist, Hon Lik. Hon Lik's father died of lung cancer due to smoking, which prompted him to develop a safer way of nicotine intake. He used piezoelectric ultrasonic atomization technology to convert nicotine-containing liquid into inhalable vapor and applied for a patent in 2003. In 2004, his company, Ruyan, launched the world's first commercial e-cigarette, which quickly became popular in the Chinese market.

Ruyan's e-cigarettes soon entered the European and American markets, but due to unclear regulations, the early products faced legal challenges. In 2006, the US FDA tried to ban the import of e-cigarettes, but the court finally ruled that e-cigarettes could be sold as "tobacco products" rather than medical devices. During this period, European and American companies began to imitate and improve e-cigarette technology, driving the rapid development of the industry.

After Ruyan's success, many companies tried to enter the market, but most of them have been forgotten. Smoking Everywhere was one of the early e-cigarette brands in the United States, focusing on disposable e-cigarettes, but it declined due to quality issues and FDA regulations. NJOY survived with more stable products and marketing strategies and remains a well-known brand in the United States today. As a rising star, Sanlei combines quality and price, quickly expanding its overseas market. Currently, its products have been sold in many countries around the world and have won the recognition of customers.

Before the popularity of e-cigarettes, some companies launched "electronic cigars" and "electronic pipes" in an attempt to attract traditional smokers. However, due to poor taste and high prices, these products failed to become mainstream and were gradually phased out by the market.

After 2010, e-cigarette technology experienced explosive development, mainly in two directions: players began to modify their devices by themselves, pursuing larger vapor volume and a stronger throat hit. Mechanical mods and box mods became popular, but they also brought safety hazards (such as battery explosions).

JUUL launched the nicotine salt technology in 2015, making pod systems more portable and providing a stronger sense of satisfaction. Disposable e-cigarettes (such as Puff Bar) quickly captured the market due to their convenience, but they also triggered controversy over the sharp increase in their use among teenagers.

Since its birth, e-cigarettes have always been accompanied by controversies regarding health, regulations, and ethics. Supporters believe that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes (the UK Public Health England estimates that the harm is reduced by 95%). Opponents are concerned that the long-term effects are unknown, and some products may lead to "popcorn lung" (related to e-liquids containing diacetyl).

Heat-not-burn (HNB) devices (such as IQOS) may become a new direction. Stricter industry standards and health research will determine whether e-cigarettes can truly replace traditional tobacco.

From the experimental patents in the 1920s to today's global industry, the development of e-cigarettes has been full of twists and turns. It has been ignored at times and has also triggered frenzies. Now, it stands at the intersection of public health and commercial interests. In the future, with technological progress and improved regulations, e-cigarettes may truly achieve their original intention of providing a safer option for smokers.