UK Government Launches E-cig Battery Safety Campaign
Vapers are being urged to check out a new vape battery safety campaign launched by the UK Government.
It says whilst exploding batteries are extremely rare – correct use of battery chargers and USB cables will drastically cut down on the risks.
The vaping battery safety campaign is a joint effort between the Office for Product Safety and Standards [OPSS] and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute [CTSI].
They say:
There have been rare incidents of E-cigarettes or “vapes” exploding and seriously injuring people.
It has been suggested that battery-related issues may lead to vape explosions.
The campaign offers this advice:
- Only use the charger that was supplied with the vape for charging. Don’t charge your vape overnight and regularly check your device when it is charging. Unplug your vape when it is fully charged.
- Charge your vape on a clean, flat surface and away from anything that can easily catch fire. Ensure you can clearly see your vape when it is charging.
- Ensure that you read and follow the safety instructions, markings or warnings on or supplied with the vape. Contact the manufacturer if you have any further questions or if your vape wasn’t supplied with instructions.
- Consider using vape devices with safety features and don’t remove or disable safety features.
- Only use genuine and recommended batteries for your vaping device. Don’t let your battery encounter metal items. Store removable and spare batteries in a plastic case to prevent accidental contact. Keep batteries out of the reach of children.
- Regularly inspect your vape batteries and replace your battery immediately if it is damaged, leaking or not functioning properly. Dispose of batteries at recycle or disposal points.
- Protect your vape from extreme temperatures by not leaving it in direct sunlight or in your car on a freezing cold night.
Mark Gardiner, product safety lead officer at CTSI, said:
Where products are supplied with the battery already installed, the manufacturer of this device has generally added a battery management system to ensure safe charging and discharging.
Problems can arise when an unsuitable battery is used either by the retailer or when the consumer puts in a replacement, with many consumers seeking a battery which is either the cheapest available or holds the maximum charge.
Many 18650-style batteries are not designed for use in vapes and some manufacturers have stated that their 18650 battery design is not intended for use in the high-power handheld devices favoured by many in the vaping community.
It’s important when replacing a battery that you check what type of battery you have and if manufacturers say it is safe for vape use.
Wise words indeed.
Read the full vape battery safety notice.
Are Samsung Batteries Safe To Use In Vape Mods?
You may have seen on social media that Samsung has recently issued ‘cease and desist’ notices on vape shops selling their batteries.
It seems the company has now added not suitable for vaping as well as fire hazard warnings on the cells.
The Samsung 25r for instance is one of the most popular vape batteries out there.
So does this mean they are unsafe to use in your vape mod?
Who better to ask than Mooch – EcigClick’s award winner battery expert:
In a nutshell Mooch says nothing has changed as we have always used these types of batteries ‘at our own risk’ and outside of battery packs.
However availability may become an issue as vendors worry about legal challenges should anyone get injured by a battery bought from them.
I suggest you watch the video for his complete breakdown of the situation.
Further information:
- A Beginner’s Guide To Vape / E Cig Batteries
- Electrickery – A Guide to Volts, Ohms and Resistance in Ecigs
- Our Choice Of Best External Battery Charger – Golisi S6 Smart Charger
FDA Wants More Info On EVALI
The FDA is calling on the public for more information regarding the EVALI outbreak.
EVALI stands for e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury and has been linked to over 60 deaths and thousands of lung injuries across the United States.
Despite now knowing the vast majority – indeed almost all – of the cases were caused by illegal and illicit street bought cannabis cartridges, the Food and Drug Administration needs more info about the vape gear associated with the disease.
They say they’ve exhausted the publicly available studies and knowledge on EVALI and are calling on experts and members of the public to add more.
FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen M. Hahn said:
We remain deeply concerned about these injuries and deaths and continue to work with other agencies, as well as state and local public health officials, on this complex investigation.
Our investigation has brought to the forefront the serious risks of using illicit, black market products.
As part of our efforts to mitigate and prevent a potential future outbreak of vaping injuries, we are asking the public for input on additional steps the FDA can take to inform our regulatory work and address the illegal modification of these products.
The FDA has created a ‘docket’ to gather the info and say:
FDA is seeking information on product design and potential ways to prevent consumers from modifying or adding substances to these products that are not intended by the manufacturers.
Here’s the link to submit: Request for Information on Vaping Products Associated With Lung Injuries
Totally Wicked Supermarket Vape Deal
Totally Wicked has announced it has secured a huge deal with UK supermarket giant Sainsburys.
The company’s e-liquids will now be sold in over 340 of the company’s stores adding to its stock already selling in 360 EuroGarages Group petrol stations and retail giant WHSmith.
Totally Wicked CEO Marcus Saxton said:
We are delighted that a selection of our premium Totally Wicked products will be sold through such prestigious retailers.
This continues to support our shared purpose of ‘enabling smokers to transform their lives’ by providing access to the Totally Wicked brand in locations where millions of smokers/vapers find it most convenient to purchase.
Totally Wicked now has 160 stores across the UK and with this new deal looks like its continued growth is certain.
and finally…Quit Don’t Switch Says Health Charity!
A new campaign by the American Lung Association says smokers looking to quit should NOT turn to vaping.
Instead it says they should pack up the cigarettes and turn to medication and counseling as they believe there’s NO evidence e-cigarettes help quit lit tobacco…
Yeah I know, the ignorance is strong with this lot…and of course they make no mention of what has really caused the lung disease outbreak – contaminated THC cartridges!
Shocking to say the least…
The campaign is titled: Don’t Just Switch, Quit Tobacco For Good and opens with this ludicrous statement:
We know that quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do to improve your health.
Don’t get confused by unproven claims made by tobacco and e-cigarette companies: quit smoking for good.
Ummm I think you’ll find neither Big Tobacco OR vape companies are allowed to make that claim…and there’s PLENTY of evidence vaping DOES help smokers quit.
Indeed a recent study showed vaping is 5x more likely to help smokers quit!
And of course, add to that some stop smoking medication can lead to suicidal tendencies as well as a whole host of nasty side effects, AND patches – gums and sprays don’t work – and you have to wonder why such an ’eminent’ body would be so anti-vaping…
Oh wait…
The ALA is funded by corporations and individual donations.
And when I say corporations I of course mean Big Pharma with a notable sponsor being Pfizer…the makers of Chantix the stop smoking medication linked to suicides.
And yeah – fellow Big Pharma corporation – GlaxoSmithKline – holds the license for the Nicorette stop smoking products and is also a huge financial supporter…
Nothing to see here…just a charity desperate to keep its funding and remain relevant bad mouthing vaping to keep its coffers full…Disgraceful.
And when I say full, it’s financial report for 2019 showed the ALA was holding a whopping $206,270,532 – like I said, they really do like to keep the bank balance high…
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More vape news on Sunday!
