Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, vape pens or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), first entered the U.S. market in 2007. Since then, their use has expanded across multiple age groups, including both adults and youth.
The most recent official data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that approximately 6.5 percent of U.S. adults used e-cigarettes in 2023, up from about 4.5 % in 2019, with the highest usage among adults ages 21 to 24. Market data also reflect sustained growth, with monthly U.S. e-cigarette unit sales rising from roughly 15.7 million units in early 2020 to more than 20 million units by late 2024, driven largely by disposable and flavored products.
- U.S. e-cigarette use has surged since 2007, now at 6.5% of adults, showing a concerning rise among those aged 21-24.
- E-cigarettes pose immediate safety risks. Device malfunctions, battery failures, lead to fires, explosions, burns and injuries.
- Federal e-cigarette battery regulations remain lacking, despite ANSI/UL standards aiming to reduce hazards and safeguard users.
- The market's growth signals ongoing risks without enforceable standards. Regulatory action could prevent catastrophic failures and provide a competitive edge.
Immediate Safety Risks of E-Cigarette Use
Medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, continue to express concern about the popularity of e-cigarettes among high school and college-aged users. While overall youth use has declined from prior peak years, federal data show that e-cigarettes remain the most used tobacco product among U.S. youth, with nearly 6% of middle and high school students reporting use in 2024.
Beyond the long-term health risks associated with nicotine exposure, a well-documented and more immediate danger involves injuries caused by device malfunctions and battery failures. These incidents have resulted in fires and explosions capable of causing severe burns, traumatic injuries and permanent disfigurement.
What are E-Cigarettes?
E-cigarettes are handheld devices designed to heat a liquid into an inhalable vapor. Most devices consist of a mouthpiece, a cylindrical housing commonly referred to as a “mod” and a battery. The mod contains the battery and internal circuitry that delivers power to a heating coil, which vaporizes the e-liquid.
Some devices use a refillable tank system, often referred to as a rebuildable atomizer (RBA), while others allow liquid to be applied directly to the heating coil, known as a rebuildable dripping atomizer (RDA). Regardless of configuration, the device relies on an internal power source to operate.
Lithium-Ion Batteries and Explosion
The batteries used in many e-cigarettes are rechargeable lithium-ion cells. Many of the batteries commonly sold for use in these devices lack adequate built-in protections to prevent overcharging, overheating or short circuits. When a lithium-ion battery overheats or fails, it can enter a condition known as thermal runaway, in which heat rapidly escalates and may trigger fire or explosion.
Battery failures of this nature have caused serious injuries, including third-degree burns and lasting physical damage. Clinical data continue to document these events. A 2023 study examining patients treated for e-cigarette device explosions identified multiple cases involving severe burn and blast injuries, frequently affecting the hands, face and groin and often requiring surgical intervention.
Regulatory Landscape and Safety Standards for E‑Cigarette Batteries
No federal agency in the United States has issued binding regulations specifically governing e-cigarette batteries. While the FDA’s authority, extended in 2016 to cover all tobacco products including e-cigarettes and the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) gives oversight over e-cigarette batteries, enforceable regulations on battery safety remain limited.
In response to the ongoing risks of battery failures, explosions and fires, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) developed ANSI/UL 8139, a national standard for electrical systems of e-cigarettes and vaping devices. This standard sets out safety requirements to reduce hazards and protect users.
Key provisions include:
- Batteries must comply with UL 1642, the established standard for lithium cells.
- Chargers must meet recognized standards for IT, audio/video and communication equipment, including class 2 power units and extra-low voltage outputs.
- E-cigarettes must include venting mechanisms to direct pressure safely in case of battery failure.
- Batteries and devices must be protected against overcharging, overdischarging, short circuits and withstand single-fault conditions without causing fire or rupture.
Following ANSI/UL 8139 can significantly reduce risks, but many devices in circulation lack these protections, underscoring the continued potential for injury.
Ongoing Safety Risks and Needed Safeguards
Despite increased awareness and the availability of voluntary safety standards, the risks associated with e-cigarette battery failures persist. Vape shops continue to sell loose and unprotected lithium-ion batteries, including high-capacity 18650 cells, for use in e-cigarette devices. Many of these batteries lack built-in protections against overheating, short circuits and thermal runaway.
At the same time, numerous e-cigarette devices still do not incorporate adequate electrical safeguards to prevent battery failure. When unprotected batteries are paired with inadequately designed devices, the risk of fire or explosion increases significantly.
Meaningful risk reduction would require broader adoption and enforcement of existing safety standards. Importers and retailers should distribute only devices and batteries that comply with ANSI/UL 8139. Clear warnings and instructions regarding battery handling and charging should accompany all products. Most importantly, federal regulators should move beyond voluntary compliance and establish enforceable requirements governing e-cigarette electrical systems and batteries.
Persistent Safety Risks in E-Cigarette Use
The continued growth in the sale and use of electronic nicotine delivery systems shows no meaningful sign of slowing. While awareness of battery-related hazards has increased and voluntary safety standards exist, device failures and serious injuries continue to occur. Until enforceable regulations are implemented and compliance becomes universal, the use of e-cigarettes will continue to carry the risk of catastrophic battery failure, fire and permanent injury.
Steve Weston has 28 years of experience representing people who suffer from serious injuries. He has significant experience helping victims and families affected by automobile and truck accidents, gas explosions, defective products, unsafe premises and many other causes of injury.
