Dangerous DIY Charging of E-Cigarettes Warned by Experts

Nov.28.2022
Dangerous DIY Charging of E-Cigarettes Warned by Experts
Master Electricians warn DIY charging of disposable e-cigarettes may result in exploding batteries, posing a serious risk to users.

Master Electricians warn that young people who use DIY methods to charge disposable e-cigarette devices are at risk of their hands exploding. A school in Taranaki has issued a warning to parents this week to be aware of this practice.


Within our community, a small number of young people have been taking old electronic cigarettes with depleted batteries, opening them up, exposing the battery, and recharging it so that it can be used again.


This is very clever, but also very dangerous," the email stated when referring to this hasty charging method, but did not provide detailed explanations of potential issues.


Bernie McLaughlin, CEO of Master Electricians, expressed great concern over this practice.


My initial reaction is that these individuals are actually circumventing many of the built-in safety features of the product. By doing so, they are actually putting themselves at risk of a lithium battery exploding in their hands.


When lithium is ignited, it becomes extremely unstable, and attempting to charge these devices with charging methods that are far from the safety standards of the industry really concerns me.


We have seen it numerous times, whether it be cars, electric scooters, or e-cigarettes - in reality, lithium is an extremely unstable product. Once ignited, it is very difficult to extinguish.


According to McLaughlin, using a charging cable without short-circuit protection means that it may explode or overheat and melt. But the real danger is overcharging the battery.


Early on we observed that electronic cigarettes, in particular, are prone to explosions which can cause severe burns to the legs or arms of individuals, should they explode in a person's pocket. This is perhaps the biggest danger as it is associated with the lithium used in electronic cigarettes.


McLaughlin said that it was his first time hearing about this practice, but he wasn't surprised that ambitious individuals were looking for ways to reuse disposable items.


The concerning issue is that the payment methods for these items are not the ones truly designated by the manufacturers, hence, although they are ambitious, they can be very dangerous.


McLaughlin advises against anyone opening devices not designed for repair, whether they be electronic cigarettes or household appliances.


Once it has access to electricity, it no longer cares whether or not you are its owner; instead, it may potentially harm you.


He issued a warning to his family.


If parents discover any damage to the charger, it's not worth keeping it around. The best option is to ensure that it's unplugged and then permanently cut the wire and dispose of it so that it can't be used.


Of course, if you discover that the e-cigarette is not designed for multiple uses and appears to be charging in a non-compliant manner, I strongly advise you to handle it properly.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry communication and learning.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the truth or accuracy of the article's content. The translation of this article is only for the purpose of industry communication and research.


Due to limitations in the translation process, the translated article may not fully express the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS fully aligns with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and foreign-related statements and positions.


The compilation and ownership of information contained herein vest in the original media and author. In case of copyright infringement, please contact us for prompt removal.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

From Nicotine Salts to Cocrystals: China’s Shenzhen Huabao institute explores a more stable form for sustained nicotine release
From Nicotine Salts to Cocrystals: China’s Shenzhen Huabao institute explores a more stable form for sustained nicotine release
China-based Shenzhen Huabao Collaborative Innovation Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd. has filed a patent application for a nicotine-ascorbic acid cocrystal, exploring a new solid-state form of nicotine. The patent proposes applications across e-liquids, heated tobacco sticks, oral tobacco, chewing tobacco and snuff. In nicotine pouch tests disclosed in the filing, cocrystal formulations showed less than a 6% decline in nicotine content after three months of accelerated storage and a release profile combining early-stage release with sustained delivery over 60 minutes. The filing reflects exploration of nicotine forms beyond conventional nicotine base and nicotine salts.
Aug.13
Product | JT Refreshes Ploom CUBE Design and Expands Japan Retail Distribution, Targeting Younger Men and Female Users
Product | JT Refreshes Ploom CUBE Design and Expands Japan Retail Distribution, Targeting Younger Men and Female Users
Japan Tobacco (JT) launched a refreshed Ploom CUBE design in Japan on September 8, 2026, with broader convenience-store and tobacco-retail distribution planned from October 13. The updated device retains the existing Rounded Cube form and heating platform while replacing four previous body colors with Pebble White and Cobalt Black. JT is also introducing new Front Panels and Fabric Back Covers, although the new accessories are not compatible with the previous Ploom CUBE design. The company says the update is intended to broaden appeal among younger male and female users.
Sep.09
Product | KT&G to Launch lil Tonino Lamborghini in South Korea, Bringing 3-Second Heat-Up to New HTP Platform
Product | KT&G to Launch lil Tonino Lamborghini in South Korea, Bringing 3-Second Heat-Up to New HTP Platform
KT&G will launch the lil Tonino Lamborghini heated tobacco device in Seoul on September 15, 2026. The product introduces a new heating technology called Flashwave Heating, which uses microwaves to heat tobacco sticks internally and delivers a manufacturer-rated heat-up time of about three seconds. The device features an all-metal aluminum body, a color display and a dedicated GUI, and launches alongside a new line of NAU tobacco sticks that are incompatible with existing lil consumables. Korean media describe the product as KT&G's first new heated tobacco platform since lil AIBLE was introduced in 2022.
Aug.31
JTI Makes Third Bet on South Korea as Ploom AURA Enters a Market Dominated by lil and IQOS
JTI Makes Third Bet on South Korea as Ploom AURA Enters a Market Dominated by lil and IQOS
Japan Tobacco International is stepping up its heated tobacco push in South Korea with Ploom AURA. Since its official launch in April 2026, the device's limited First Edition and Glacier White version have sold out, while distribution has expanded across Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province and airport duty-free channels. The rollout marks JTI's third major attempt to build a stronger heated tobacco position in South Korea, following Ploom TECH in 2019 and Ploom X Advanced in 2024. At the group level, JT plans to invest about ¥800 billion, approximately $5 billion, in reduced-risk products from 2026 through 2028, with heated products and Ploom identified as its primary investment priority.
Aug.14
China STMA Deputy Administrator Meets KT&G COO as Heated Cigarette Rules Advance
China STMA Deputy Administrator Meets KT&G COO as Heated Cigarette Rules Advance
Wang Gongcheng, deputy administrator of China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, met KT&G Chief Operating Officer Lee Sang-hak in Shanghai on September 1, according to Oriental Tobacco News. The meeting comes as China seeks public comment on a draft mandatory national standard for heated cigarettes. The report did not disclose the subjects discussed or indicate whether heated tobacco products or market access were addressed.
News
Sep.02
Juul Sublicense Reshapes Vuse Alto Patent Bill as Court Ends R.J. Reynolds’ 5.25% Royalty Obligation to Altria
Juul Sublicense Reshapes Vuse Alto Patent Bill as Court Ends R.J. Reynolds’ 5.25% Royalty Obligation to Altria
According to Law360 on August 31, 2026, a federal judge in North Carolina ruled that a patent sublicense between R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co. and Juul Labs Inc. relieves Reynolds of its obligation to continue paying royalties to Altria Client Services LLC over Vuse Alto. A jury had previously found that Vuse Alto infringed three Altria patents and awarded approximately $95.2 million in past damages, after which Reynolds was ordered to pay an ongoing royalty equal to 5.25% of positive net sales. The new ruling finds that a valid sublicense can eliminate future infringement, potentially ending what Altria described as hundreds of millions of dollars in future royalties.
Sep.01