Senator Calls For Recall of Exploding Vapor Cigarettes

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D) is urging the federal government to delve into why vapor cigarettes and batteries are exploding and catching fire, causing serious injury to users.

In a recent letter, Schumer referenced a recent Associated Press story saying the FDA received reports of 66 explosions in 2015 and early 2016.

The AP article said the reports kept by the FDA may not be an accurate number and there may actually be more instances of vapor cigarettes exploding.

According to Schumer, one FDA report detailed at least 92 exploding vapor cigarette incidents since 2009. Of those reports, 45 incidents injured 47 people and 67 incidents involved property damage beyond the product.

The Senator is pushing for the FDA, as well as the Consumer Product Safety Commission, to exercise their authority and to take immediate action to protect vapor cigarette users from “potentially dangerous electronic cigarettes” that could spontaneously explode without warning.

“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire and that seems to be the case–again and again–for many popular e-cigarettes that have injured dozens of people,” Schumer stated during a press conference. “With any other product, serious action would have been taken — and e-cigarettes should be no exception.”

Schumer called for the agencies to seriously consider issuing a recall of vapor cigarette devices that have been reported to catch fire and explode.

“It’s radio silence from both the industry and the feds, so that’s why I’m sounding the alarm,” he said. “The CPSC and FDA should investigate and determine which e-cigarette batteries and devices are the most volatile, and require a recall to make sure these explosions stop.”

The Problem with Vapor Cigarettes

Vapor cigarette, or e-cigarettes, are a relatively new consumer product designed to replace traditional cigarettes. The devices are battery-operated vaporizers. Using an e-cigarette is known as “vaping.”

The devices are tobacco-free but contain and vaporize nicotine.

The products are frequently marketed as smoking cessation devices or as a “healthier” alternative to traditional smoking.

Recently many news reports have come out indicating the design of vapor cigarettes, in particular, “mechanical mod” devices, can result in batteries that catch on fire or explode.

As vapor cigarettes are a personal electronic device, this failure can result in serious personal injury, especially if the explosion occurs during use.

One vapor cigarette user knows this all too well. Vaper Katrina W., a New York freight manager, says she wanted a safer alternative to smoking regular tobacco cigarettes and thought vapor cigarettes were the answer. That is, until one exploded in her pocket in April as she drove home from a beauty salon.

“It was like a firecracker,” she said, as it seared third-degree burns in her leg, blasted through her charred pants and stuck in the dashboard.

An FDA representative says the agency is looking into vapor cigarettes to evaluate components including battery ”amperage, voltage, wattage, and type” among other issues.

Vapers who suffered an e-cigarette explosion may be able to sue vapor cigarette companies for product liability in individual or class action lawsuit. An experienced attorney can review your case at no cost and advise you of your legal options.