Back in 1989, when I was in the 8th grade, our health teacher handed out an article discussing what was as far as I know the first "heat not burn" type of cigarette.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_(cigarette)
At the time they were not available in our area, though at the time it sounded like "the next big thing" combining technology with tobacco to make smoking a safer endeavor. It wasn't until just now that I realized it had already been out for a decade by that time and was a complete flop, being discontinued that very year. No wonder I was never able to find them in stores.
But that article stuck with me for years and years, and throughout all of those years I wondered what happened to it and why it never seemed to come to fruition. Also throughout those years I watched as cigarettes killed various family members, and my own addiction became ever stronger, frequently wishing for a way out that just didn't seem to exist for me.
Being someone who has always had an affinity for technology, when I first learned of e-cigs it was like my prayers had been answered. You didn't have to ask me twice, I was in. Took a while for the tech to actually get to the point where it was a complete replacement for me, but I'm so forever grateful that it has. I might just get to see my son grow up to become a man, and spend just a little bit longer with my wife before I have to say goodbye.