Posted in News on October 24, 2019

Electronic cigarette companies have been in the news a lot lately. Once touted as being “safer” alternatives to traditional cigarettes, or even methods to help people quit smoking, e-cigarettes may not be as safe are many people thought. Of particular concern are the effects these products are having on younger consumers, mainly teenagers, who have begun vaping in record numbers.

E-cigarettes have been known to cause lung disease, and they have caused injuries when their batteries explode. Many people have wondered if they can file personal injury lawsuits against these companies for vaping-related injuries. The answer is yes, and many people have. With these companies facing increased scrutiny, it is likely that they will face more and more lawsuits.

School districts join the fight against e-cigarettes

It may seem unusual for a school district to file a lawsuit against an e-cigarette maker. However, it is not just one. Several school districts have alleged that Juul, the most popular maker of e-cigarettes, accusing them of endangering students. School districts in Kansas, Missouri, and New York have all filed a suit alleging that Juul Labs intentionally markets its products to teens as “trend-setting and relatively harmless.” The school districts say they have had to divert their time and resources to combat the e-cigarette epidemic.

The lawsuit states that “Educators are being forced to expend significant resources to combat JUUL use by students. JUUL use by students during school presents both a danger to students…it also detracts from educators’ limited time and resources to educate their student population generally.”

What kind of problems are e-cigarettes causing?

As of Oct. 1, there have been 1,080 cases of vaping-related lung injuries reported across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Eighteen deaths have been reported. Local and federal authorities have begun to take action against the companies that make e-cigarettes.

Juul may be the most well-known maker of electronic cigarettes, but they are not the only ones in the market. Other popular brands include:

  • Blue E-Cigs
  • NJOY
  • Om Vapors
  • Green Smoke
  • Joyetech
  • KangerTech
  • Morpheus E-Cigs
  • Mig 21 Clear Fusion
  • VaporFi VAIO

Some of the biggest companies behind these brands include:

  • Altria Group
  • British American Tobacco
  • Philip Morris
  • Imperial Brands
  • Japan Tobacco
  • NJOY

These products are not regulated by federal authorities. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required that these companies submit their products for approval in 2020 if they wish to continue selling them, but that timeline may be sped up.

E-cigarettes are essentially two parts. There is a cartridge filled with the nicotine solution that gets placed into a device with a battery. These devices typically look like little USB flash drives and are easily concealable. The battery heats the nicotine solution to make it inhalable.

There is no clear answer yet as to what is in the nicotine solution, though we do know that they contain neurotoxins, something that is poisonous when ingested or inhaled. Federal authorities and medical professionals are working hard to determine exactly what is making people sick from vaping.

Aside from the harmful effects of vaping e-cigarettes, these products have been known to cause serious injuries when they explode or catch on fire. E-cigarette users have suffered from a range of injuries, including severe burns, fractured jaws, and even disfigurement due to their product’s battery exploding.

Injured by an E-Cigarette? Contact Our Attorneys

If you or a loved one have been injured or become ill due to vaping e-cigarettes, please speak with a qualified product liability attorney in Montana. An attorney will be able to guide you through this process and help you secure the compensation you deserve. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation with Heenan & Cook, PLLC.