The first documented reference to an electronic cigarette emerges.

The first prototype of an e-cigarette is created by Herbert Gilbert.

The FDA bans the product Favor and classifies it as a drug because of its intended uses to satisfy nicotine dependence and affect the structure or functions of the human body.

gain a lot of popularity, RJ Reynolds device has been redesigned over the years and is known as IQOS today.

Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik produces the first generation of e-cigarettes known as the
“Cig-A-Like.”

While attending Stanford University, James Monsees and Adam Bowen create Ploom, which is now known as JUUL.

The first generation of e-cigarettes are introduced to the U.S. market.

Pax Labs launches JUUL in New York City.

The FDA issues warning letters to 17 e-liquid companies for selling e-liquids that resemble youth-friendly food products.

The FDA seizes more than 1,000 pages of documents from JUUL Labs depicting marketing practices to target youth.

The FDA deems a nicotine warning label must appear on all e-cigarettes and vapes.

Youth vaping rates skyrocket to 6.2 million U.S. youth vaping.

JUUL Co-founder and Chief Product Officer James Monsees testifies before Congress about the marketing and advertising tactics used to target youth.

Walgreens, Kroger and H-E-B announce they will no longer sell vaping products.

Legislation is passed across the country banning e-cigarettes and flavors. CEOs of 5 major vaping companies testify before Congress.

June 23rd - The FDA issued marketing denial orders to JUUL Labs Inc. to remove all of their products currently in the U.S. market. As a result, the company must stop selling and distributing and products already in the U.S. market must be removed.

June 24th - The U.S. Court of Appeals entered a temporary stay of the marketing denial orders for JUUL Labs Inc.

July 5th - The FDA announced they would make additional reviews of the JUUL product but moving forward all e-cigarette products, including JUUL, are required by law to have FDA authorization to be legally marketed.

Nicotine Salts

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is the addictive drug in tobacco products. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found 99% of the vapes sold contained nicotine. While some vape labels do not share that they contain nicotine, others are marketed as containing 0% nicotine when they have actually been found to contain nicotine.

The popular vape product JUUL contains a nicotine salt formula that allows for higher levels of nicotine to be delivered into the body. The founders of JUUL discovered their nicotine salt formula delivered more nicotine into the bloodstream than combustible cigarettes causing users to vomit or their hands to shake.

Now, copycat products like Sourin and Puff Bar use nicotine salt formulas in their products, which is why pod-based vapes contain as much nicotine as up to two packs of cigarettes.

We’ll uncover more about the dangers of nicotine and nicotine salts on the body in module 3.

Diacetyl

Over a decade ago, workers in a microwave popcorn factory were sickened by breathing in diacetyl, which is the buttery-flavored chemical found in foods like popcorn, caramel and diary products. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved diacetyl as safe to eat, it is not safe to inhale.

When inhaled, diacetyl causes irreversible lung damage known as bronchiolitis obliterans or “popcorn lung.” While the name popcorn lung might not seem dangerous, it is a very serious lung disease that causes coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.