Vaping has been ingrained in modern culture for many years now, but when did vapes come out as a serious alternative to traditional cigarettes? The history of vapes isn’t quite as straightforward as you might think. Vaping has taken various forms before becoming what we know it as today. The first smokeless cigarette was actually patented in 1963 but its origins go back as far as the 1920s. This guide tells all about the first ever vape right through to the vape devices we use now.
Key takeaways:
➔ Vaping as we know it now was invented in 2003 by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik
➔ The concept of vaping can be traced back to 1927
➔ In 1963 a patent was created for a battery-powered smokeless cigarette but it never made it to market
➔ Since 2004 vapes have grown in popularity with a variety of vape devices now available, including pod systems, vape pens and box mods
➔ Disposable vapes were banned in 2025, marking a new era of vaping
➔ With the UK government planning for a smoke free generation, the vaping world will continue to innovate and help with smoking cessation
Contents
1. The history of vapes: a timeline
3. The history of vapes in detail
✓ Early origins: Joseph Robinson
✓ The almost vape: Herbert H Gilbert
✓ The first ever vape: Hon Lik
4. When did the first vape come out in the UK?
5. Pods, mods and pens: the rise of vaping
✓ Vape pens
✓ Box mods
✓ Sub-Ohm tanks
✓ Pod systems
6. When were disposable vapes invented?
THE HISTORY OF VAPES: A TIMELINE
Although most innovations occurred in the last two decades, the history of vapes goes back nearly a century. In 1927, Joseph Robinson patented the first electronic vapouriser, though it never progressed further. The first smokeless cigarette was created in 1963 but it never took off. Finally, in 2003 a Chinese pharmacist, Hon Lik, developed the first commercially successful e-cigarette using a piezoelectric ultrasound element. The rest is vaping history.
Here’s a brief look at how long have vapes been around in all their various forms:
WHO INVENTED VAPES?
Multiple pioneers were responsible for the eventual invention of modern vapes.
➔ Joseph Robinson filed the first patent in 1927, but his device never reached production.
➔ Herbert A. Gilbert followed in 1963 with a battery-powered smokeless cigarette that heated flavoured air but because cigarettes were so popular there wasn’t a market for it
➔ Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, picked up the baton in 2003 and revolutionised the industry. He introduced his electronic cigarette to Chinese markets in 2004, marking the practical birth of vaping
A HISTORY OF VAPES: IN DETAIL
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here is how vaping came to be in more detail.
1927: EARLY ORIGINS - JOSEPH ROBINSON
In 1927, Joseph Robinson filed a patent for a device designed to vapourise medicinal compounds for inhalation, rather than burning tobacco. His concept described a battery-powered apparatus that could heat a liquid solution to create a vapour, which the user would then inhale. In the 1920s, when smoking was widely accepted and technology was limited, his idea went largely unnoticed.
There’s no hard evidence that Robinson ever produced a working commercial model, nevertheless his invention introduced the core principle of vapour instead of smoke, marking a significant milestone in the history of vaping.
1963: THE ALMOST VAPE - HERBERT H GILBERT
Next came Herbert H Gilbert in 1963 whose invention represented a pivotal moment in e-cigarette history. Gilbert patented a "smokeless non-tobacco cigarette" that heated flavoured air. Sound familiar?
Unfortunately in the 1960s, smoking was viewed as sophisticated rather than harmful and manufacturers saw no value in funding an alternative. With tobacco profits soaring and health concerns largely unacknowledged, Gilbert’s patent expired never to be used.
2003: THE FIRST EVER VAPE - HON LIK
So when did vapes come out as a functional device that people could actually use? In 2003, Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik created the first commercially successful electronic cigarette after losing his father to lung cancer and fighting his own heavy smoking addiction. He wanted an alternative to traditional cigarettes that could deliver nicotine without combustion. His design created an inhalable vapour by heating a propylene glycol solution, one of the core ingredients in e-liquid, mimicking the sensation of smoking.
The first ever vape was launched in China in 2004 before entering international markets in 2006. Hon Lik's invention addressed both nicotine delivery and the behavioural aspects of smoking, and so began an industry revolution.
WHEN DID THE FIRST VAPE COME OUT IN THE UK?
Hon Lik’s invention arrived in the UK in 2005. It caught the attention of curious smokers who were keen to find alternatives to cigarettes. Market growth and interest was slow at first, mainly supported by specialty shops and online retailers catering to a niche audience.
By 2007, vape shops were popping up all over the UK, helping smokers figure out this new way to get their nicotine fix without the harmful side effects of cigarettes. This slow but steady growth set the stage for the UK to become one of Europe’s biggest vaping markets and helped vaping move into the mainstream.
PODS, MODS AND PENS: THE RISE OF VAPING
What started as simple, cigarette-shaped gadgets with little LED tips has grown into a whole world of sleek pod systems, powerful mods, and handy vape pens, each designed for different styles and preferences. Modern vape devices now offer adjustable power settings, custom coils, and a huge array of flavours.
1. VAPE PENS
Around 2010-2011, vape pens made vaping more mainstream. These sleek and pen-shaped devices have bigger batteries, refillable tanks and replaceable coils. They offer better flavour and a lower cost, and are powerful yet portable enough to carry around. Vape pens fixed the problems of early e-cigs, and as a practical, easy-to-use alternative became the go-to choice for ex smokers.
Why not try?
2. BOX MODS
Box mods were introduced between 2012 and 2013. The chunky, rectangular design held bigger batteries and advanced electronics. Users could customise their vape experience by adjusting the wattage and voltage, and by 2014, temperature control prevented burnt hits. Regular vapers valued the performance of box mods over portability letting them fine tune every puff.
While we don’t currently stock traditional box mods, they remain a popular choice for experienced vapers who want more control and customisation from their device. If you’re looking for a more modern, compact alternative with advanced features, there are plenty of newer vape kits that deliver a similar satisfying experience. One of the latest additions available from Riot is:
3. SUB-OHM TANKS
In the years 2014-2015 sub-ohm tanks made their mark with vapers chasing big clouds and intense flavour. With coils below 1.0 ohm, these tanks could handle higher wattages, which meant dense vapour without compromising on taste. Features included larger airflow channels and improved wicking to make the experience smoother. The downsides were shorter battery life and higher e-liquid use.
4. POD SYSTEMS
In roughly 2015-2016, pod systems came onto the scene around and shifted focus back to simplicity and portability. These small, user-friendly devices used pre-filled or refillable pods, meaning no replaceable vape parts to mess around with and no fiddly technical settings. Pods bridged the gap between cig-a-likes and the more advanced setups, proving that vaping innovation could be just as much about ease and convenience as fancy features.
Give these a go:
WHEN WERE DISPOSABLE VAPES INVENTED?
Disposable vapes first appeared in the late 2000s as simple, cigarette-like alternatives to rechargeable devices. Early models might have been convenient but they were limited when it came to both flavour and vapour. Disposables really took off around 2018-2019. These newer disposables had bigger batteries, sleeker designs and used nicotine salts. Disposables were seen as a hassle-free option for beginners and a travel-friendly backup for experienced vapers.
However, due to youth vaping concerns and the negative impact single use devices have on the environment, disposable vapes were officially banned from sale in the UK in 2025.
THE FUTURE OF VAPING
We’ve come a long way since the first ever vape. Stricter rules, new technology and health trends are all shaping what’s next in the world of vaping. We’re seeing safer, more standardised devices, clearer ingredient info on eliquids, and even smarter batteries and temperature controls. Regulators are keeping an eye on flavours, the spread of fake vapes and youth access, to make sure vaping stays responsible. Vaping continues to be an important tool for quitting smoking, and with the UK striving for a complete smoking ban, the evolution of vaping is far from over.
VAPING WITH RIOT
With smoking cessation becoming even more of a hot topic as we advance to a smoke free generation, the vaping world continues to innovate. At Riot we create easy-to-use vape devices that satisfy the needs of every vaper, from discreet designs like the Oxva range to customisable kits including the Aspire collection, and compact Connex pod systems. Find the right vape type for you at Riot.
