For a lot of us, when we think of vaping we see stuck-up hipsters blowing clouds of flavorful smoke at chic parties and in trending Instagram posts. However, the industry has much humbler beginnings than all the hype might suggest.
The first electronic cigarette was invented back in the early 1960s by Herbert A. Gilbert but never received commercial success because of the popularity of traditional tobacco cigarettes. More than four decades later, a Chinese pharmacist by the name of Hon Lik came up with what we now know as modern e-cigarettes and vaping devices. Devastated by his father’s death from lung cancer, Hon Lik developed his first electronic cigarette as an alternative to smoking in the beginning of the 2000’s and went on to release a commercial version of the device to the international market in 2006.
The design, functionality and even mode of operation of vaping devices have since undergone significant changes. And the original purpose of electronic smoking gadgets has been somewhat shrouded in the smoke of vaping industry’s own success.
So how is vaping better than smoking and is it, in reality, an efficient way to quit traditional cigarettes?
The truth is, even before vaping hit the scene, there were plenty of “transitional” products marketed as smoking cessation aids: gum, lozenges, nicotine patches and the like.
While quite helpful in dealing with the stress associated with kicking the habit, neither of these methods were able to replicate the social and physical rituals associated with smoking: hand movements, a way to break the ice or simply having a cigarette with coffee.
And this is where vaping comes in. While traditional cigarettes burn tobacco (along with 7,000 other chemicals) to deliver their effect, e-cigarettes use an electric charge to vaporise a dose of nicotine (if you choose to use nicotine-enhanced e-liquids) together with a set of flavoring chemicals. While not 100% harmless (then again, what is?), vaping has been scientifically proven to be a healthier alternative to smoking as well as a strong step towards stopping smoking altogether. In fact, according to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine, over 18% of smokers who switched to electronic smoking devices have been able to drop the habit within a year.
Not all modern-day vapers vape to quit smoking — the activity has taken on a life of its own and has large numbers of dedicated followers all over the world. With that comes a variety of vaping devices and accessories from cig-a-likes and vape pens to box mods and pod-mods. If you are new to vaping, this variety may seem overwhelming at first.
However, some brands aim to make things easier taking the vaping experience all the way back to its humble beginnings: helping you quit smoking. iQ Vapehave released a line of bright minimalistic vaping devices and accessories offering a guided and informed introduction into a tobacco-free life. Each of our vaping products is designed specifically for those making the transition and, when selecting e-liquids, vapers are encouraged to slowly lower the nicotine content from 5% all the way to 0%.
And while you may still be wondering if vaping is for you or whether it will ever be able to replace a traditional cigarette, at least, there is now an easy way to put this idea to the test.
