An Interview with the Inventor of the Electronic Cigarette, Herbert A Gilbert E Cigarette Direct When Were Vapes Invented? Vaping Land Did you know that vapes were originally invented primarily as an alternative to smoking tobacco? Unfortunately, vapes have sparked a new epidemic of nicotine addiction among those who may not even use When Were Vapes Invented? History of E Cigarettes OK Vape 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.