The inventor of the electronic cigarette

The inventor of the electronic cigarette, Hon Lik smokes his invention in Beiijng on May 25, 2009. Also known as an 'e-cigarette', the battery-powered device is designed as an alternative to cigarettes, cigars and pipes, and provides inhaled doses of nicotine by delivering a vaporized propylene glycol/nicotine solution, while also providing the physical sensation and flavors similar to inhaled tobacco smoke. With 350 million tobacco smokers nationwide, China will join the world in observing World No Tobacco Day on May 31. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)