Calif. AG Accuses e-Cigarette Maker of Deception

The California attorney general’s office is suing the e-cigarette maker Smoking Everywhere, accusing the company of failing to warn consumers about the dangers associated with the product, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Jan. 14.

Attorney General Jerry Brown is seeking to bar the company from selling e-cigarettes in California unless it can produce evidence that the product is safe.

“Right now there is no quality control, the (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) is not regulating them,” said Brown spokesperson Dana Simas. “We want to make sure if there is nicotine, it’s a consistent amount and that there are no dangerous products such as anti-freeze in them.” Simas also said that the Smoking Everywhere website does nothing to prevent minors from buying e-cigarettes.

An FDA analysis found that e-cigarettes contained harmful chemicals, and the agency is currently seeking to exert regulatory authority over such products.

The Oregon attorney general’s office filed a similar lawsuit last year against the firm.