The first smoker to try a nicotine vape ("e cigarette") was Hon Lik. He invented it to help himself quit smoking. He has vaped for 20 years, and is now 70 years old. E Cigarettes Vaping with Juul & Other Electronic Cigarettes HON LIK: From inventor of the modern e cigarette to ambassador for the tobacco industry. Hon Lik: The initiative, struggle and gloomy ending of a 50s pharmacist's cross border electronic cigarette! VAPE HK History of electronic cigarettes