Smoke Tote Cigarette Lighters

CPSC Recall #97-192 - September 23, 1997

Recall Summary

Recall Number97-192
Recall DateSeptember 23, 1997
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 53,000

Where It Was Sold

Walgreen drug stores nationwide sold the lighters within the Smoke Tote set from August 1996 through August 1997 for about $3.

Product

Smoke Tote Cigarette Lighters

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Walgreen Co. of Deerfield, Ill., is recalling about 53,000 disposable cigarette lighters sold as part of the Smoke Tote set. These lighters' child-resistant mechanisms could fail to reset themselves, potentially allowing young children to ignite the lighters.Each year, an estimated 190 deaths are caused by children under 5 years old playing with lighters. CPSC estimates that child-resistant mechanisms on lighters will prevent more than 100 deaths each year.CPSC and Walgreen are not aware of any injuries involving these lighters. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.The lighters are sold inside a vinyl pouch, along with a matching cigarette case, in a blister pack. The lighters are tinted either red, yellow, blue, white, black or green. The cigarette cases and lighter pouches are either beige, black, red, navy or white. The blister pack is labeled in part, "PERFECTION Smoke Tote...FREE Child Proof Lighter & Fashion Case."Walgreen drug stores nationwide sold the lighters within the Smoke Tote set from August 1996 through August 1997 for about $3.Consumers should stop using the lighters immediately and return them to the Walgreen store where it was purchased for a full refund. For more information, contact Walgreen Co. toll free at (888) 899-0538. Consumers will hear a recording asking them to leave their name and number, and a Walgreen representative will return their call.CPSC discovered this defective product as part of ongoing import surveillance in conjunction with the U.S. Customs Service. In addition, the Customs Service prevented the import of about 600,000 of these defective lighters into the U.S.

Hazard

These lighters' child-resistant mechanisms could fail to reset themselves, potentially allowing young children to ignite the lighters.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Walgreen are not aware of any injuries involving these lighters. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the lighters immediately and return them to the Walgreen store where it was purchased for a full refund.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.