Yes, it's possible to give up smoking without nicotine patches or e-cigarettes, etc, but it's hard. Why shouldn't people use an easier method if there is one? So long as their health benefits I don't see a problem.
bb, I have never mean swamped by a vaping cloud so I can't really argue with your claims. Perfume 'vapours' from people who wear stinky things makes me gasp, especially indoors or on public transport, perfumes in soaps, shampoos, deodorants, washing powder, etc. bring my skin out in rashes, so I rather suspect that many perfumes are just as bad for people as vaping clouds.
Which does not excuse vapers from allowing their e-cig vapours to bother other people. Nobody is arguing that it does.