Do you smoke e-Cigarettes?
If you do, hold onto to your hat, because recent reports of exploding e-Cigarettes are causing users to think twice about the safety of this device.
Did Someone Say “Fire”?
Reports have been emerging lately about the lithium batteries used in E-Cigarettes suddenly exploding and catching fire. The batteries, often made in China are very unstable and cause mini-explosions without warning to the consumer.
Many victims have suffered severe burns to the face, neck, hands, and legs as a result of this dangerous device. The devices don’t have to be in use to explode, many of the lithium batteries have caught fire while in the users pockets.
In fact, up to 80% of explosions occurred when the device was charging. These dangerous incidents were attributed directly to the lithium-ion battery. Another risk of the battery and the E-cigarette case is that when the battery seal ruptures, the pressure within the container can build and “fire” like a bullet and be propelled across a room. Videos of these explosions portray the device exploding and bursting into a fireworks like display, shooting fire several feet into the air.
Some explosions have occurred when the e-cig was being charged with a non-compatible charger, usually a charger that did not originally come with the device. Explosions have also occurred when spare batteries not being stored within the device touch other metallic objects, such as coins in the bottom of a purse or keys in the victims pockets. This interaction can cause the battery to spark and catch fire.
What Are E-Cigarettes?
E-cigarettes are battery operated inhalers that consist of a rechargeable battery, a cartridge called a cartomizer and an LED that lights up at the end when you puff on the device. They contain nicotine but no tobacco. When in use they do not produce any of the 7,000 carcinogenic toxins that traditional cigarettes produce in second-hand smoke. They were initially introduced to the US market in 2007. Their popularity is growing at an increasingly rapid rate. In 2015, there were approximately 466 brands of e-cigarettes and 7,764 different flavors for consumers to choose from. Former traditional cigarette smokers have switched to the product in an effort to quit smoking. Many younger users report trying e-cigarettes because of the ability to customize the flavor and devices to personal preferences. Because of its popularity and its reputation as a “healthy alternative to tobacco cigarettes” the e-cigarette industry has grown to become a market worth an estimated $2.5 billion dollars.
$2.5 Billion Dollars! Are These Devices Regulated by the Government?
No, the FDA does not currently regulate these devices. The American Heart Association is pressuring the FDA to begin to implement regulations on the industry by the end of the year.
What Can Be Done?
With 2.5 million users in the United States and approximately 10 companies joining the US Market every month, the popularity of e-Cigarettes is not going to fade anytime soon. More information about the risks of using these devices is needed. Citizens should also call on government regulators to regulate all e-cigarettes including those made in China where safety standards are basically non-existent.
Many of the brands do not include warnings about the risk of fire or instructions on how to maintain and care for the device and the batteries appropriately. Better warnings from the manufacturers are needed as well as clear instructions for all users.
Consumers should keep in mind that the e-Cigarette is an electronic device and can be easily damaged by water.
And Remember…. Healthier is not the Same Thing as Healthy
Back in the 1960’s, traditional tobacco cigarettes were marketed as healthy. Since the e-Cigarette industry is in its infancy, the FDA has not been able to study the side effects of using e-Cigarettes for the long-term. While the American Heart Association has released a statement saying that it is a healthier alternative to smoking, that does not mean that the practice is “healthy”. It is best to avoid this product altogether.
I’ve Been Burned By An Exploding E-Cigarette. How Do I Find a Qualified Product Liability Lawyer in Roanoke, VA?
If you or someone you love has been injured by a dangerous product, call Product Liability Lawyer Paul Thomson of The Thomson Law Firm today. Paul Thomson has extensive experience aggressively representing clients who have been injured by dangerous products including dog leashes that caused blindness, an unanchored soccer goal that caused the death of a child, a faulty door that caused broken bones, and a flammable industrial product that caused severe burns to a child. Paul Thomson will fight against large corporations to get compensation for his clients. Call today for a free consultation. (540) 777-4900
