Skimming the article, I find this looks similar to so-called dry-herb vapes for cannabis. They’re popular and have long been on the market. The article also quotes someone describing the “rigid ideologies” that kerb discussion and research, which I find particularly true in the US, that there are over-the-top, negative views of tobacco—arguably unwarranted given the magnitude of other issues.

Personally, though I don’t smoke I am not particularly bothered by the smell. I’d rather smell cigarettes than other, more acceptable scents such as from incense or even certain types of ladies’ perfumes.