The first commercially successful electronic cigarette
April 16, 2026 by bbc.co.uk
The first commercially successful electronic cigarette
Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist and smoker, began looking for an alternative to cigarettes after developing health problems in 2003. He experimented with different ideas and eventually created a prototype for an electronic cigarette. The device was designed to deliver nicotine without burning tobacco, offering a different way to smoke. It was launched on the market in 2004 and quickly became commercially successful in China. The story follows how he developed the idea and managed to bring the product into production.
24.40% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 288.3 million current smokers in China 46.40% of men are current smokers but only 1.90% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
