E-cigarettes or vaporizers have surged in popularity in recent years, especially among teenagers. But the tobacco-alternative comes with an unexpected health risk: the devices can explode and cause severe burns, according to a slew of lawsuits filed against manufacturers.
E-cigarette users in several states, including New York, California, and Florida, are suing e-cigarette and vaporizer companies for the devices’ tendency to explode during use, spraying corrosive battery acid on users’ skin and inside their mouths, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Twenty-seven year old Californian Rachel Berven used vaporizers to help her quit smoking, one of many ways the devices are marketed. But according to her complaint against Switch to Vapor filed earlier this year, the device exploded, cracking her teeth and burning her legs and face. Last year, another California woman was awarded $1.9 million after an e-cigarette reportedly exploded while charging in her car.
So far there are 29 similar lawsuits being handled and at least 70 pending complaints, the Wall Street Journal reported.
E-cigarettes are typically criticized for their potentially negative health effects and their appeal to American teens. They’re usually flavored and contain nicotine, but research on the extent of their health ramifications has been somewhat mixed. Some researchers agree that they contain fewer toxins but may not necessarily be less addictive. Smoking e-cigarettes also carries many of the same health risks as tobacco, including heart disease.
Teenage smoking is at an all-time low but the majority of youth who do smoke opt for vaporizers over traditional tobacco products. Three million teenagers used e-cigarettes in 2015, according to a CDC report. Overall, e-cigarette use has jumped 16 percent in the last four years.
As a result, state legislatures have begun considering legislation that limits the sale of electronic smoking devices to minors. California became the second state after Hawaii to lift the smoking age to 21 and ban the sale of all smoking products to underage buyers in June.