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Forty state Attorneys General are pressuring the Food and Drug Administration to “restrict the advertising, ingredients, and sale of electronic cigarettes to youth,” according to the Wall Street Journal. Use of e-cigarettes among young people is growing quickly: in 2011, 4.7% of children reported using e-cigarettes. Just one year later, that number has jumped to 10%. It is a $1 billion a year industry, and that number is sure to grow even more.
The FDA is trying to come up with new regulations by the end of October 2013, but Attorneys General from all over the country are pressuring the FDA not to delay any longer.
The controversy between proponents of e-cigarettes and those against them revolves around whether e-cigarettes are a gateway to real cigarettes, or an effective way to stop smoking real cigarettes. The truth probably lies somewhere in between: for some, it may be a helpful way to wean off of regular cigarettes. For others, especially young children and teenagers who are experimenting, it may be the first step towards full-blown cigarette use and addiction.
Why are Attorneys General particularly concerned? Because e-cigarette manufacturers seem to be particularly targeting young people in the following ways:
In 2009, the FDA’s Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis (DPA) analyzed 18 different cartridges of 2 popular brands of e-cigarettes. These included flavored, non-nicotine, and nicotine versions.
According to the FDA, “DPA’s analysis of the electronic cigarette samples showed that the product contained detectable levels of known carcinogenic and toxic chemicals to which users could potentially be exposed.”
The following were some specific findings:
Another disturbing finding was that there were inconsistent or many times altogether non-existent quality controls in the manufacture of these products.
If you smoke electronic cigarettes because of claims that they are safer than regular cigarettes, you may be entitled to compensation. The product liability attorneys at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP can assess your legal claims. Contact us today to discuss your case.