Originally published August 28, 2024 · Updated October 2026 · By the VapeOwls Team
Quick answer: A few vape facts most people don’t know: the first e-cigarette patent was filed in 1963, the modern e-cigarette was invented by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik in 2003, “vape” was Oxford’s Word of the Year in 2014, and the U.S. raised the minimum age for all tobacco products, including vapes, to 21 in December 2019. Here are 10 interesting and funny vape facts, all checked.
Table of Contents
10 Interesting and Funny Vape Facts
1. The First E-Cigarette Patent Dates to 1963
Herbert A. Gilbert filed a patent for a “smokeless non-tobacco cigarette” in 1963, and it was granted in 1965. It never went into production, and the idea sat on the shelf for decades.
2. The Modern E-Cigarette Was Invented in 2003
Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, created the first commercially successful e-cigarette in 2003. Within a decade, vapes had spread worldwide.
3. “Vape” Was Oxford’s Word of the Year in 2014
Oxford Dictionaries picked “vape” as its 2014 Word of the Year, beating shortlisted words like “bae” and “slacktivism.” It works as both a noun and a verb.
4. Cloud Chasing Became a Competitive Hobby
“Cloud chasing” contests, where people compete to blow the biggest or densest vapor clouds, became a popular subculture in the 2010s. They use high-powered mods, not the small disposables most adults buy today.
5. There Is a Vape Trick Called “The Dragon”
The Dragon means exhaling vapor from both nostrils and both corners of the mouth at once, so it looks like a dragon breathing smoke. Other well-known tricks include the O-ring and the French inhale.
6. The U.S. Minimum Age Is 21
Since December 2019, federal law has set the minimum age to buy any tobacco product, including vapes, at 21. Online stores must verify age before shipping. See our vape laws 2026 guide.
7. Puff Counts Are Lab Estimates
The “50,000 puffs” on a box comes from a machine taking measured puffs, not from real people. Longer draws and high-power modes use e-liquid faster, which is why the same device lasts different people very different lengths of time.
8. Nicotine Percent Converts Easily
A fun bit of math: multiply the percent by 10 to get milligrams per milliliter. So 5% equals 50 mg/mL and 3% equals 30 mg/mL. More basics are in our Vaping 101 guide.
9. Some Flavors Are Truly Strange
Fruit, mint and dessert dominate, but over the years e-liquid makers have sold bacon, cereal, and cola-and-candy mashups. Today’s best sellers are far more predictable; see the ice vape flavor guide.
10. Vaping Has Big Trade Shows
Industry expos like TPE in Las Vegas draw thousands of exhibitors and buyers each year. At TPE 2025, NEXA showed a near cloud-free disposable; read NEXA at TPE 2025.
Bonus Vape Facts: Then vs Now
| Then | Now |
|---|---|
| Early disposables: a few hundred puffs | Flagships rated 25,000–60,000 puffs |
| Single-use, no charging | USB-C rechargeable with screens |
| Freebase nicotine | Mostly nicotine salt |
| Few rules | 21+ federally, FDA review, state flavor rules |
Vape Facts FAQ
When was the first e-cigarette invented?
Herbert A. Gilbert filed a patent in 1963, and Hon Lik invented the first commercially successful e-cigarette in 2003.
Was vape really a word of the year?
Yes. Oxford Dictionaries named “vape” its Word of the Year in 2014.
What is the legal age to buy vapes in the U.S.?
21, nationwide since December 2019.
Are puff counts accurate?
They are lab estimates from a puffing machine; real use varies.
Sources
- U.S. FDA – Retailer regulations and guidance (Tobacco 21)
- U.S. FDA – E-cigarettes, vapes and other ENDS
Vapes contain nicotine, an addictive chemical. Adults 21+ only.
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