Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigs or vape pens, are battery-powered devices that provide users with nicotine. Since they first hit the U.S. market in 2006, they have become quite popular. Over the last five years, e-cigs have become a trend with one age group in particular: teenagers. But this trend is proving to be particularly dangerous, as more and more people are reporting symptoms of lung illness. As of today’s date, we have had 530 confirmed cases of lung injury linked to e-cigarettes [1]. At the center of many of these cases is JUUL Labs, a brand of e-cigarettes that heat up liquid nicotine to be inhaled.
E-cigs were originally marketed as a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, yet that statement is now coming under scrutiny. People who do not smoke have even fallen victim to the marketing efforts of e-cig companies like JUUL. This is because JUUL devices are modern, stylish, and make the vaping experience look extremely appealing. But the repercussions of using e-cigs are starting to come to light, raising serious concerns about the safety of these devices. The e-cig lawyers at Shamieh Law have your best interests in mind and are prepared to take on these big companies for you. We offer free consultations and encourage you to give us a call today to discuss your case.
Potential Side Effects Of Vaping
The regulations concerning e-cigs are rapidly changing, and the FDA is scrambling to investigate the potentially dangerous side effects. But is it too late? When e-cigs first hit the market more than a decade ago, the public was completely in the dark about any risks or dangers. As the number of individuals diagnosed with lung problems from vaping continues to increase, this is no longer the case.
Some of the side effects of vaping include:
- Severe nicotine addiction
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Cardiovascular disease
- Heart problems
- Seizures
- Nicotine poisoning
- Stroke
The FDA has now made it clear that there is no evidence that switching to e-cigarettes is safer than smoking nicotine traditionally. Many companies have revealed that their e-cig liquid contains potentially harmful chemicals like diacetyl, which can be very toxic when vaporized. Popcorn lung (a rare condition that causes damage to the small airways in the lungs), is one of the scariest side effects of inhaling diacetyl.
Exploding E-Cig Lawsuits
Beyond the potential dangers of the liquid you are inhaling with e-cigs, there is another serious concern: exploding batteries. There have been numerous injuries across Texas, Lousiana, and the rest of the nation because of faulty e-cig batteries. Earlier this year we told you about how a Texas man died as the result of an exploding e-cig battery. We have now learned that this death, and others, were due to a faulty lithium-ion battery in the vape pen.
Unfortunately, many e-cigs have not been designed as well as they should, and others are misused by vapers. When the design is not up to par or the e-cig is overused, it could be too much for the battery, leading to an explosion. In other cases, overcharging the battery can be damaging and cause a chain reaction that eventually results in an explosion.
Are E-Cigarettes Safe?
Although they were thought to be a better option than smoking cigarettes, the number of people experiencing adverse symptoms is alarming, to say the least. Because many of the individuals at the center of these lawsuits are our nation’s youth, it is imperative we pay attention and raise awareness about the side effects of vaping. If you or a loved one has experienced any of the symptoms listed above or has had an e-cig battery explosion, please contact Shamieh Law to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers. Our lawyers are prepared to take on your case and will join the countless others filing class-action lawsuits against the manufacturers of these devices.
