Oakland Group Sues 19 E-Cigarette Companies Over Warning Labels
The Oakland-based Center for Environmental Health has filed lawsuits against 19 electronic cigarette companies for allegedly selling the products without state-mandated warning labels, KPBS reports (Goldberg, KPBS, 2/9).
Background
Warning labels about harmful chemicals are required under the state's Proposition 65, a consumer protection measure (CEH release, 2/5).
Meanwhile, the California Department of Public Health in January issued a public health warning about the hazards of e-cigarettes. In a report, DPH noted that e-cigarettes contain at least 10 chemicals listed as toxic by the state of California (Gorn, California Healthline, 1/29).
Details of Lawsuits
According to CEH, the nicotine in e-cigarettes poses reproductive health risks and should have warning labels.
CEH alleges that the companies have violated state law by selling such products without the "proper warning label," while some "didn't carry any health warning labels at all" (KPBS, 2/9).
The group said the lawsuits aim to make e-cigarette makers "conform to legal requirements for labeling and create mandatory product safety standards," as well as "stop marketing practices that target children and teens" (CEH release, 2/5).
E-cigarette producers maintain that their products are healthier alternatives to traditional cigarettes (KPBS, 2/9).
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