In the summer of 2003, pharmacist Hon Lik was one of millions of smokers in China.

He was coughing a lot and having problems with his breathing and wondered if he could make an alternative cigarette.

After various experiments, he created a vape prototype. It went on sale in May 2004 and was instantly a hit - selling 100,000 in China.

Hon tells Megan Jones how he brought it to market.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by and curious about the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there.

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(Photo: Hon Lik smokes his invention. Credit: Frederic J Brown/AFP via Getty Images)