So why do we use smoking terms?
We have to use smoking-related terms in order to increase our user base. It will not always be necessary to do so, and perhaps the break point will come at around 25% of smoker conversions: the point at which a quarter of smokers have switched, and public knowledge of the equipment and practice will be widespread.
The problem currently is that unless the term 'electronic cigarette' or 'e-cigarette' is used, no one will (a) have a clue what you are talking about, (b) be able to find the products with a web search, or (c) want to switch from smoking.
The right and wrong way to build our community
If you want hardly anyone to try a new idea, then go about promoting it the wrong way. If you want millions to use it, you'll have to go with the flow even when you know the terms used are not accurate. Maybe later on people will accept that the thing they are using is not a horseless carriage, it's an automobile. And then you can find an even better word like car.
Right now we need the numbers or we will be crushed. This needs to be a voting issue ASAP - millions of lives are at stake. We can worry about the niceties later.