From 2010 to 2011, the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) increased from 10% to 21% of the smoking population. Since then, these battery-powered devices have only grown in popularity as an alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes.
The idea of electronic cigarettes has actually been around since the early 1960’s. However, it wasn’t widely accepted and the device faded into the background of tobacco cigarette smoking. Forty years later, in 2003, a Chinese smoker and pharmacist decided to develop electronic cigarette when his father passed away from lung cancer.
Han Lik created the e-cigarette so smokers could have nicotine via inhalation but without tobacco and smoke. Success spread from China to Europe. The trend really didn’t make an appearance until 2007 in the United States. The World Health Organization recognized electronic cigarettes publicly and gave them a reference that would put them in the spotlight and increase interest among smokers.
Supplemental tests done in countries throughout the world showed that the technology of e-cigarettes allowed smokers nicotine without consuming questionable chemicals that could be toxic or detrimental to users. One study even determined that electronic cigarettes were between 100 and 1000 times less hazardous than traditional cigarettes.
Other than the safety aspect of e-cigarettes, smokes that make the switch from tobacco to vapor also eliminate that smoke odor and save money. The infamous scent of cigarette smoke gets into and attaches to clothes, hair and furniture giving off an awful smell. The vapor from e- cigarettes is virtually nonexistent in comparison.
In the past eleven years, electronic cigarettes have came pretty far and are only increasing in popularity. It’s no wonder with the health, smell and money saving benefits, more and more smokers are switching over. The industry also expects the percent of users to increase substantially over the next five to ten years.
