Chinese pharmacist and inventor known for creating the first modern electronic cigarette in 2003. His invention was born out of a desire to find an alternative to traditional tobacco after his father, a heavy smoker, died of lung cancer. Hon Lik patented the device in 2004 and helped to spread it around the world, revolutionising the tobacco market. His electronic cigarette used a nicotine vaporisation system to eliminate the combustion of tobacco. Despite his initial intention to reduce the harm caused by tobacco, the debate about the safety of electronic cigarettes is still open. Today, his invention is being studied and regulated in many countries.
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