Walk down any high street in the UK today, and it’s impossible not to notice just how common vapes have become.
Shops selling them sit on almost every corner. Pubs that were once heavy with cigarette smoke now smell like tropical fruit and candy puffs.
The vapes came from an idea in the 1960s and today have transformed into the big puff disposables. Let’s dig deeper into the story of invention, frustration, and changing habits.
The First Spark: 1960s Idea
Back in 1963, an American called Herbert Gilbert came up with something unusual. He filed a patent for a “smokeless cigarette,” a device that heated flavoured air instead of burning tobacco. On paper, it sounded amazing.
But the world wasn’t ready yet. Their batteries were bulky, the heating technology wasn’t reliable, and tobacco companies at the time had no interest in promoting something that could eat away at their profits.
So, the idea was shelved.
Hon Lik’s Mission: The Real Beginning
Fast forward four decades. In the early 2000s, a Chinese pharmacist (Hon Lik) faced the same struggle as millions of heavy smokers. His father had died from lung cancer, and he himself was addicted to cigarettes. The thought of carrying on in the same way terrified him.
He used his pharmaceutical background to create something new: a device that could deliver nicotine without the tar, smoke, or thousands of toxic chemicals found in burning tobacco.
By 2003, Hon Lik had developed what became the first commercially successful e-cigarette. Rather than smoke, the device produced a vapour by using ultrasound technology to aerosolise a nicotine solution.
It was crude compared to modern devices, but it worked. A company called Ruyan launched it in China in 2004, and within a few years, the idea spread to Europe and the US.
The Early Cigalikes (2007–2010)
When e-cigs first reached the UK around 2007, they didn’t look like the colourful devices on shelves today. Most were thin, white, and designed to mimic the look of a cigarette; hence the nickname “cigalikes.” The battery end even lit up with a small LED, glowing red or blue with each puff.
Brands like Blu and Njoy pushed these early products, and they grabbed attention quickly. But, the vapour production was weak, batteries died in no time, and the throat hit wasn’t strong enough for heavy smokers. Flavour options were limited too; usually just tobacco or menthol.
For some, it was a novelty rather than a real replacement. Yet it laid the foundation.
The Next Big Invention (2010–2015)
As interest grew, vapers wanted more customisation and bigger tanks. They started experimenting and attaching larger reservoirs, today known as “tanks”.
By 2012, proper refillable tanks came to the market. This allowed vapers to pour in their choice of liquid, change coils, and control airflow. Brands like Kangertech, Joyetech, and Innokin became popular brand names.
Variable wattage and voltage arrived soon after. Instead of a fixed output, users could adjust power, tweaking vapour production to match preference.
The Sub-Ohm Revolution (2014–2019)
Anyone who walked into a vape shop during this period remembers the huge clouds rolling across the counter. Sub-ohm vaping, using coils with resistance below 1 ohm, became the craze. It meant denser vapour, stronger flavour, and the chance to blow clouds that rivalled stage smoke.
For some, this was the golden era of vaping. Competitions were even held to see who could create the biggest clouds. High-VG shortfill e-liquids were developed specifically for this style.
Companies like Smok and Aspire jumped in with powerful sub-ohm kits, offering powerful devices like the Smok Scar 18.
The Disposable Era (2019–2025)
Just when pods seemed to dominate, disposables took over. They were compact, pre-filled with nic salts, and capable of delivering a strong hit with bold, sweet flavours.
Brands like Elf Bar, Geek Bar, Elux, and Crystal rose to popularity. Flavours such as Blue Razz Lemonade, Pink Lemonade, and Cotton Candy Ice made them hugely appealing.
But the boom was alarming.
The UK government worried about the plastic/lithium waste and underage access. Regulators stepped in with tighter rules on nicotine strength, tank size, and advertising. And, by 2025, the government announced a complete ban on single-use disposable vapes.
The ban forced a major reset across the vape industry. Manufacturers quickly moved attention towards rechargeable big puff devices and refillable pod kits that could deliver the same strong flavours without being single-use.
Big Puffs and Refillable Pods (2023–Present)
At present, the market has split into two clear directions. On one side, big puff disposables dominate; devices promising 3,500 to 10,000 puffs, often rechargeable but still pre-filled.
On the other side, refillable pod kits are also gaining popularity. Devices like the Voopoo Argus, Vaporesso Vibe Nano Pro, and Uwell Caliburn G3 are cost-effective and environmentally friendlier options.
In addition, mesh coil technology, dual-core heating, and smart chipsets have raised consistency and flavour to levels that early vapers could never have imagined.
The Timeline at a Glance
- 1963: Herbert Gilbert patents a smokeless cigarette.
- 2003: Hon Lik invents the first modern e-cigarette in China.
- 2004: Ruyan launches the product commercially.
- 2006–2007: E-cigs arrive in Europe and the US.
- 2007–2010: First-gen cigalikes gain popularity.
- 2010–2015: Mods and refillable tanks take over.
- 2014–2018: Sub-ohm vaping and cloud chasing exploded.
- 2019–2022: Disposables like Elf Bar and Geek Bar dominate.
- 2023–Present: Big puff disposables and refillable pod kits lead.
Final Words
From a forgotten patent in the 1960s to modern pod systems that fit in the palm of a hand, the history of vapes is packed with experiments, failures and breakthroughs. In just twenty years, vaping went from a niche idea in China to a global industry worth billions.
Whether the future lies in big puffs, smarter chips, or something completely unexpected, one thing’s certain: vaping isn’t going anywhere. It now has a special place in everyday life, and its history is still being written with every puff.