The first commercially successful electronic cigarette

The first commercially successful electronic cigarette

In the summer of 2003, pharmacist Hon Lik was one of millions of smokers in China.

He was coughing a lot and having problems with his breathing and wondered if he could make an alternative cigarette.

After various experiments, he created a vape prototype. It went on sale in May 2004 and was instantly a hit - selling 100,000 in China.

Hon tells Megan Jones how he brought it to market.

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(Photo: Hon Lik smokes his invention. Credit: Frederic J Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

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