The popularity of electronic cigarettes, or “e-ciggs,” has increased exponentially in recent years. Although the first patented design for electronic cigarettes came about in the 1960s by an American inventor, China started the first generation of commercial electronic cigarettes in 2000.

Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik is credited as the father of the first electronic cigarette. In 2004, electronic cigarettes were first introduced to the Chinese domestic market as an aid for smoking cessation and replacement.

E-cigarettes appeal to a wide variety of consumers because of the many flavors, including  choconilla haze, cocoa coconut, and Hawaiian espresso, and their innovative design.

According to a Volcano E Cig user, “Compared to smoking real cigarettes, there’s no stench of smoke and tar. So not only is it more enjoyable for me, it doesn’t come with the social stigma afterwards where people may not want to be near you cause you smell like a smoker.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “About one in five adult cigarette smokers had used electronic cigarettes by 2011, up from about one in 10 in 2010.”

Advocates of the electronic cigarette maintain that e-ciggs help to address nicotine cravings without the harmful effects of traditional cigarettes. However, since the long-term effects of e-ciggs are unclear, it remains to be seen whether electronic cigarettes are as beneficial as they are advertised to be.

On its web site, Volcano E Cigs maintains that its benefits over smoking include “No tobacco, no smoke, no ashes, no lingering smells, complete control over your level of nicotine and half the cost of traditional cigarettes.”

A key selling point of the e-cigg is that customers can use the product in places where tobacco cigarettes are prohibited, including bars, restaurants, offices and airplanes.

SKYCIG told Business Insider its e-cigarettes “are not covered by the smoking ban so can virtually be used anywhere even when no smoking signs are in place, including planes.”

However in February 2011, the Associated Press reported that the Department of Transportation “says the use of smokeless electronic cigarettes is prohibited and plans to issue an official ban.” The Federal Aviation Administration has not ruled on e-cigarette use, rather leaving to airlines’ discretion on the policies of e-cigg use on planes. United Airlines currently has a policy banning the devices.

As the popularity of electronic cigarettes increases, several states including New Jersey, Arizona, Maryland and New York have made plans to or have implemented policies and regulations that put more restrictions on the sale and procurement of electronic cigarettes.

In March, the Hawaii House Committee on Health voted on a bill to stop people under the age of 18 from buying electronic cigarettes. While Hawaii youth are currently prohibited from purchasing cigarettes, this law would expand the state’s definition of tobacco products and require stores to only sell tobacco products to people over the age of 18.

Proponents of this bill say it is important because kids are targets of tobacco company advertising, and tobacco in any form has harmful health effects.

According to the Star Advertiser, “The Senate approved the measure last week. The bill now goes to the House committee on consumer protection.”