Health group sues e-cigarette makers

An environmental group on Thursday announced it has filed lawsuits in California against 15 leading tobacco and electronic cigarette companies for manufacturing products that allegedly contain high levels of cancer-causing chemicals.

The companies being sued by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) include R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company for its Vuse brand, Fontem Ventures/Imperial Tobacco for its Blu brand, and NJoy. CEH said it conducted independent tests and found dangerous levels of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in products purchased between February and October. The chemicals have been linked to cancer, birth defects and infertility.

{mosads}Under California’s strong Proposition 65 consumer protection law, companies must warn consumers when their products expose users to chemicals that can cause cancer and/or birth defects.

CEH said that when companies are forced to change their products to meet California laws, the changes benefit consumers nationwide.

The group said it’s also initiated legal action against four e-cigarette companies, including Logic, a division of Japan Tobacco, and Fin, a division of Electronic Cigarettes International. Prop 65 requires companies be given a 60-day notice before filing suit.