The man who invented e cigarettes

Did you know that the birth of electronic cigarettes started with a dream? This simple dream would
make a big difference in the lives of millions of smokers worldwide.

In the year 2000, Chinese inventor and pharmacist Hon Lik had a bad dream. In that dream, he
was coughing and wheezing, and was close to drowning. Suddenly the turbulent waters around him
vanished into a fog. Little did Hon know that the nightmare would lead to something important – the
invention of electronic cigarettes. The creation of electronic cigarettes would not only affect Hon’s life
but the lives of the people around him.

Like other middle-aged men in China, Hon is no stranger to smoking. His father suffered because of
it and so did Hon. He was addicted to nicotine just like 60 percent of Chinese men but he couldn’t
kick the habit. He smoked as soon as he woke up in the morning, between lectures at the university,
during lunch break and while working.

Hon would ordinarily consume three packs a day. Aware of smoking’s ill effects, he developed the
first electronic cigarette in 2003. Not surprisingly, his father was the first to use his new product. But it
was too late to save the old man who eventually succumbed to lung cancer.

Hon knew he would be next unless he changed his ways. That fear convinced him of the importance
of electronic cigarettes that were introduced in China the following year.

While Hon is credited as the inventor of the modern electronic cigarette, this gadget was first
described way back in 1963. The idea was patented by Herbert A. Gilbert who wanted to make
a smokeless cigarette without any tobacco to give smokers a safe alternative to smoking. Gilbert
sought to do this by substituting tobacco and paper with “heated, moist flavored air.”

Unfortunately, the time was not right for the invention of e-cigarettes. Due to limited technology, there
was no way to manufacture this novel concept. To top it off, tobacco was not generally viewed as
dangerous at that time so the idea died and faded into obscurity.

Thanks to Hon, the dream is now a reality. Owing to the growing popularity of e-cigs, Hon’s company
Golden Dragon Holdings became Ruyan (which means resembling smoking) Group (Holdings) Ltd.
and began exporting electronic cigarettes in 2005.

Today, these devices are found almost everywhere. Ruyan alone – which is now called Dragonite
International Limited – has sold over a million units. In the United States, the Electronic Cigarette
Association said sales of e-cigarettes have mushroomed from $10 million to $100 million in just a
year.

There’s also a wide variety of flavors to choose from at different dealers and online shops. There are
traditional types like menthol and Marlboro to fun flavors like chocolate, mint and apple, coffee and
vanilla. Indeed, smoking has come a long way thanks to the electronic cigarette. If you’re a smoker
and want to experience a better way to smoke, the electronic is the way to go. Grab one today and
experience a new high in smoking.

The Importance of Cigarette Filters

Giving advice to smokers on how best to smoke is something of an odd proposition, but it’s advice that could save lives. We all know the health and financial implications of smoking as a habit, and most non-smokers would prefer to see the habit removed from existence altogether, but the fact remains: people smoke. Therefore it is only sensible to offer advice to smokers in the hope that, while they are smoking, they are doing as little damage as possible to their health.

The absolute key issue of so-called ‘safe smoking’ (a juxtaposition in itself) is filters. In America, filters tend to be white to match the color of the cigarette tube itself – while in the UK and European, filters are usually orange. These sponge-like bits of kit are used to inhale tobacco through, and are essential to minimizing the already considerable risk of a smoking related illness.

Filters help to cut out the levels of the toxic chemicals that are contained in cigarette smoke. They can’t remove them entirely, but an effective filter can at least lessen the impact.

This becomes an issue if you prefer to self-roll your cigarettes. It is possible to buy filters, which you can insert in to a cigarette paper as you roll it, but these usually make cigarette rolling machines difficult to use. It may be more time consuming, but in terms of your health it is best to hand-roll cigarette papers and tobacco so you can insert a filter in to device yourself. In the long run, ignoring filters altogether will cost you more than a few extra minutes per cigarette.

The Dangers of Passive Smoking

The vast majority of smokers are well aware of the possible health implications of their habit. That might be difficult to understand – why would someone knowingly cause harm to themselves? – but it’s fairly difficult to be blind to the health risks of smoking. With anti-smoking messages now appearing on cigarette packaging and a continued drive by governments and states to cut down the number of smokers, being unaware is unlikely.

However, one issue that tends to get ignored is that of passive smoking. There is an unfortunate truth in that smoking not only affects the smoker themselves, but anyone they may be near when they smoke. Even if you are a non-smoker, if you live or regularly socialize with a smoker who smokes in your presence, then you could be at risk of smoking-related illnesses as well. As the smoke is expelled from the cigarette and smoker, if a non-smoker is nearby they cannot help but also inhale some of the substance.

No one is entirely sure of the effects of passive smoking, as many cigarette-related illnesses can manifest for a variety of reasons – there is no “you only get this if you smoke” illness. However, the statistics indicate that passive smoking is a very real threat, with non-smokers who regularly spend time around cigarette smoke up to 50% more likely to get a smoking-related illnesses than a non-smoker who does not socialize with smokers.

If you live with someone who smokes, to avoid this it is best to try and ask them to smoke outside. If that isn’t possible, compromise on them smoking near a window, and ventilate the house often by opening all windows.

Smoking Bans: A Complete Guide

For nearly a decade now, various states across America as well as numerous European countries have introduced what is referred to as a “smoking ban”. Here’s everything you need to know about these bans:

- What is a smoking ban? Are people just not allowed to smoke at all?

That’s not quite the case. A proper name for these bans would be “smoking in public places ban” – but that’s a little wordy! Most of the bans in American states and various countries around the world prevent smoking in public places. A public place is usually defined as somewhere like a bar, restaurant or office workspace. If a ban is in place in a particular area, smoking inside these buildings is prohibited.

- Is it any type of smoking?

Yes, all smoking – filter cigarettes, pipes, rolled cigarettes – is banned.

- Why do these bans exist?

It’s a health concern, primarily the concern raised about passive smoking. The theory is that non-smokers can still suffer from smoking-related illnesses, such as cancer, if they regularly breathe second-hand smoke in. The ban is to protect the public health.

- Does these bans infringe on a smokers civil liberties?

This is still a question of debate, but there has been no significant legal challenge on a human rights level to provide a precedent. If such a case were winnable, smokers rights groups would probably have challenged the bans in court by now.

- What happens if I smoke inside a building where a ban is in place?

It depends on the state or country you are in. Penalties range from an on-the-spot fine right through to arrest, and the establishment you smoke in will also be punished.