Another reason is that many states cannot afford to have the tobacco companies lose too much revenue. After the Master Settlement Agreement between the tobacco companies, the FDA, and the states was agreed upon, many states underwent a securitization process of the anticipated future revenue from the settlement. They issues bonds that were backed by the future payments from the tobacco companies, which are determined a some percentage of those companies' revenue. The emergence of e-cigs has put a much larger dent in tobacco company profits than expected, hence the required amount of their payments under the MSA has dropped. This means the states are now on the hook to pay the interest to the bond-holders to the tune of billions of dollars. The states are actually rooting for the tobacco companies to be more profitable so that they can get off of the hook.

Ya, but the guy that died of emphysema took himself out of the pool early. If he didn't smoke, he may have died of Alzheimer's disease or Diabetes or CHF and hung on for much, much longer, costing more money in health-care costs. Plus, he paid the onerous taxes on every pack of smoke he bought, actually putting money back into the pool. See, his smoking may have actually saved you money!

This is the story with me as well, it has become more of a hobby than an addiction to nicotine. If you mix your own liquid, there is an element of chemistry involved (PG/VG ratios, nicotine content, flavorings, all mixed with pipettes and beakers), if you roll your own coils you need to be aware of Ohms law and battery discharge rates, and there are all the new shiny new mods to buy, collect, and trade with your friends. Even if you run around buying all of the latest mods, tanks, and atomizers out there, you are still saving a ton over smoking just due to the outrageous taxes placed on tobacco. It is the perfect hobby for a nerd that wants to consume nicotine in a safer manner. Being around longer for my kids, the health benefits, and cost savings over smoking tobacco products were my main reasons to switch initially, but I find that I am simply enjoying the activity of vaping as well.

I know you are going for funny, but e-cigs actually use either propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, or a combination of both. Both of these substances are listed as GRAS, generally regarded as safe for consumption by the FDA.