Another key health concern is the development of bronchiolitis obliterans, a serious lung disease that is irreversible. This disease is caused by the chemical diacetyl, which is used in many of the e-cig flavors. When the chemical is inhaled, it can cause scarring in the lungs.

A third concern is that electronic cigarette use has been found to potentially expose users to the heavy metals cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel.

While explosions are rare, the results have been very serious. Due to the potential severity, airplane passengers are not permitted to store these products in checked luggage. Instead, they must carry the devices with them on the plane.

In order to minimize the chances of a fire, it is recommended that people purchase domestically-produced products from reputable, U.S.-based companies rather than those manufactured overseas, where production standards and regulations are much weaker. Users should also avoid activating the button for more than a few seconds and overcharging the device – both of which can weaken the battery.

Symptoms of popcorn lung include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, similar to the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Beginning in August 2018, e-cig manufacturers will be required to warn about the addictive nature of nicotine. The product packaging and marketing must state: "WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical."

These products have been marketed as a way to help people quit conventional smoking, and to lower the risk of lung cancer. However, research shows that the opposite might be true.

A study performed by the University of California - San Francisco found that many adolescents who would not have started smoking cigarettes began first by vaping, and then moved to conventional tobacco products. It was not until August 2016 that the FDA began requiring purchasers of these devices to be eighteen years of age or older.

The first electronic cigarette was designed by Herbert Gilbert in the early 1960s. The tobacco industry refused to promote it, as it saw it as a threat to its huge tobacco market. In 2003, Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik patented what is known as the modern e-cig.

There are approximately 500 companies worldwide that manufacture and sale these devices, which has become a $7 billion industry. As of 2015, approximately 4% of all American adults used ENDS on a regular basis.

In Colorado alone last year, there were 16 explosion cases that were admitted to the UCHealth burn center, seven at Swedish Medical Center, two at Denver International Airport, two in Telluride, three in Colorado Springs and one in Greeley. In total, there were at least 34 battery explosions in Colorado in 2016, with 27 of those cases involving injuries. Published in Denver News - Colorado E-Cig Fires

Dozens of lawsuits have been filed by consumers who say their products blew up, causing serious and expensive injuries. The Food and Drug Administration has found 134 reports of overheating, fires, and explosions of the devices in the U.S. between 2009 and January 2016. Published in Consumer Affairs - E-Cig Facial Burns

Electronic cigarettes are seen by some as a safer alternative to traditional forms of smoking, though the jury is still largely out on their long-term health effects. Now, the so-called "e-cigs" are facing another safety issue, as multiple users have filed lawsuits alleging their battery-powered devices exploded and, in some cases, caused serious injuries. Published in Time Magazine - Electronic Cigarette Explosion Lawsuits

Electronic cigarettes are actually attracting a new population of adolescents who might not otherwise have smoked tobacco products. Researchers concluded that low-risk youths in the study, who went on to smoke regular cigarettes, may not have used nicotine at all if ENDS did not exist. Published in UCSF - E-Cig Youth Marketing

Companies have rapidly increased advertising spending, from $6.4 million in 2011 to $115 million in 2014. Many of the themes used in advertising for cigarettes are also now used to advertise electronic cigarettes – including sex, independence, and rebellion. Published in CDC - E-Cigarette Youth Ads

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