More states ban indoor smoking, and as the tax on cigarettes increases, tobacco users are looking for ways to quit smoking.  While the nicotine patch and gum are proven ways to quit smoking, others are trying to kick the habit with electronic cigarettes.

But with any new product that isn’t yet regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there could be harmful products liability side effects to “e-cigarettes” that we do not yet know about.

Our San Diego personal injury lawyers know that smoking is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. because of the dangerous chemicals involved, but it’s not yet known how e-cigarettes will figure into those statistics.

Electronic cigarettes consist of a metal tube containing an atomizer, a battery and a cartridge filled with liquid nicotine.  When a user sucks on an e-cigarette, a light causes the tip to glow and the atomizer turns the liquid nicotine into a vapor.  The vapor can be inhaled and then exhaled creating a cloud that resembles cigarette smoke but goes away quicker and doesn’t have the odor.

The Food and Drug Administration says that as of March 1 it “has refused 17 shipments of various brands of these ‘electronic’ cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, and their components.”  The agency added that it will continue to evaluate the products on a case-by-case basis “to determine the appropriate action to take.”

The American Lung Association, along with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, recently called for e-cigarettes to be removed from stores.

Our firm’s personal injury lawyers in San Diego believe that the makers of defective products and the FDA have a duty to prevent personal injury or wrongful death from dangerous products.  As the FDA waits to make its decision, make sure you’re careful if using E-cigarettes.

Please feel free to call us now at 1-858-551-2090 or click here for a FREE CONSULTATION with an experienced personal injury attorney.  We have a large bilingual staff that can assist you in either English or Spanish.