History of Vaping: How E-Cigarettes Evolved and Reached Kenya

The History of Vaping: From Ancient Vapour to Modern E-Cigarettes in Kenya

Vaping may feel like a modern trend in Nairobi and across Kenya, but the concept of inhaling vaporized substances dates back centuries. Long before electronic cigarettes existed, ancient civilizations experimented with heating herbs and oils to produce vapour for inhalation, often for medicinal or ritual purposes.

While these early practices were not vaping as we know it today, they laid the foundation for the idea of inhaling vapour instead of smoke.

Early Attempts at Vapor Technology

The first serious attempts to create a smoke-free alternative to cigarettes began in the 20th century.

In the 1960s, an American inventor named Herbert A. Gilbert patented a device that heated a flavored liquid to produce inhalable vapour. His invention aimed to replace burning tobacco with vaporization, but at the time, cigarette smoking was socially dominant, and the idea failed to gain public attention.

Later, in the 1980s, researcher Phil Ray developed a heat-based vapor device known as Inhale. Despite its innovative design, it never reached commercial production due to limited interest and technological constraints.

The Birth of the Modern E-Cigarette

The true breakthrough came in 2003, when Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist and former smoker, invented the modern electronic cigarette. Motivated by the loss of his father to lung cancer, Hon Lik set out to develop a less harmful alternative to traditional smoking.

His invention used a battery-powered heating element to vaporize a liquid containing nicotine and flavour, eliminating combustion and smoke. While the earliest versions were bulky and inconsistent, they represented a major turning point in nicotine consumption.

Global Expansion of Vaping

By 2006, electronic cigarettes had entered the European market, and in 2007, they became available in the United States. At the time, vaping was still relatively unknown, and public awareness of its potential benefits and risks was limited.

Over the next decade, rapid innovation led to smaller, more efficient devices, improved e-liquids, and the introduction of disposable vapes, pod systems, and advanced mods ,products that are now widely used in Kenya’s vape market.

Vaping in Kenya Today

Today, vaping has gained significant popularity in Nairobi and other major Kenyan cities, particularly among adults seeking an alternative to traditional smoking. Modern vape devices offer controlled nicotine levels, a wide range of flavours, and options such as nicotine-free e-liquids.

At Vapesoko Nairobi, we provide access to trusted vape brands, quality devices, and fast delivery across Kenya, helping customers make informed and responsible choices.

Conclusion

While vaping may appear to be a recent invention, its roots stretch back centuries. From ancient vapour practices to Hon Lik’s groundbreaking invention, vaping has evolved into a global industry ,and now plays a growing role in Kenya’s smoking alternatives landscape.

As technology continues to advance, vaping devices are becoming safer, more efficient, and more accessible for adults who choose to vape.