FDA authorizes first e cigarette, cites benefit for smokers The Seattle Times ILLUSTRATION 6 June 2018, Hamburg, Germany: An e cigarette by Reemtsma is placed next to normal filter cigarettes. Photo: Malte Christians dpa Stock Photo Alamy A brief history of e cigarettes FROM THE NEWSROOM: WASHINGTON (AP) Heath officials have authorized the first electronic cigarettes in the U.S., saying the R.J. Reynolds vaping products can benefit adult smokers. The Food and Drug Administration