The Evolution of Vaping: From Early Beginnings to Modern Innovations

Over the past decade, vaping has become increasingly popular as an alternative to smoking traditional tobacco products. Vaping involves inhaling vapor from an electronic device, which contains a flavoured liquid solution, often containing nicotine. While the history of vaping can be traced back to the 1960s, it wasn't until the early 2000s that the technology became widely available to consumers. In this blog, we'll explore the evolution of vaping, from its early beginnings to its current state.

The Early Days Vaping

The first electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, was patented in the mid-1960s by Herbert A. Gilbert. However, it wasn't until the early 2000s that the technology began to take off. In 2003, Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik created the first modern e-cigarette, which used a battery-powered heating element to vaporize a liquid solution. The device quickly gained popularity in China and later spread to Europe and North America.

Early e-cigarettes were relatively simple in design, often resembling traditional cigarettes in size and shape. They consisted of a battery, a heating element, and a cartridge containing a liquid solution. The liquid was typically a mix of propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine, flavourings, and nicotine. As the user drew air through the device, the heating element vaporized the liquid, which was then inhaled.

Mainstream Adoption

In the mid-2000s, vaping began to gain mainstream acceptance in Europe and North America. By 2007, several companies had entered the market, offering a variety of e-cigarettes and e-liquids. These early devices were often marketed as a healthier alternative to smoking and were touted as a way to help smokers quit. However, early studies showed that the health risks of vaping were largely unknown, and many health experts were sceptical of the claims made by the industry.

As vaping became more popular, the technology evolved. By the late 2000s, devices with larger batteries and more powerful heating elements were introduced. These devices were often called "mods" and allowed users to customize the vaping experience by adjusting the temperature and wattage of the heating element. The use of variable wattage and temperature control helped to improve the flavour and vapor production of e-cigarettes.

The Rise of Sub-Ohm Vaping

In the early 2010s, sub-ohm vaping became popular. Sub-ohm vaping refers to using a device with a heating element that has a resistance of less than one ohm. This allows for more power to be delivered to the heating element, which in turn produces more vapor and flavour. Sub-ohm vaping also led to the development of new types of e-liquids, such as those with higher vegetable glycerine content, which produces thicker vapor.

In addition to sub-ohm vaping, the popularity of "dripping" also grew in the early 2010s. Dripping involves dripping e-liquid directly onto the heating element of a device, rather than using a cartridge or tank. This allows for a more intense flavour and vapor production, but requires more frequent refilling of the e-liquid.

Regulation and Innovation

As vaping became more popular, concerns about its safety and health effects grew. In response, governments around the world began to regulate the industry. In the United States, the FDA began regulating e-cigarettes in 2016, requiring manufacturers to submit their products for approval. The regulations also banned the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and required warning labels on e-cigarette packaging.

Despite the increased regulation, innovation in the vaping industry continued. In recent years, new types of devices, such as pod systems, have become popular. Pod systems are small, compact devices that use pre-filled pods of e-liquid, making them easier