Marlboro Promotional Flashlight Recall Follows Explosions, Injuries

About 365,000 Marlboro 3-in-1 promotional products, which contain a flashlight, compass and match holder, have been recalled due to a risk that they may suddenly catching fire or explode, with nearly a dozen reports of problems received by the manufacturer.  

A Marlboro promotional flashlight recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on May 1, following at least 11 incidents where the matches inside the product were ignited after the flashlight came in contact with the striker pad beneath the compass cap. At least two injuries have been reported involving minor burns, but the product could pose a serious hazard for consumers.

The recalled Marlboro 3-in-1 flashlights are bronze colored and were distributed free as a promotional item used to market the Marlboro brand name. The flashlights measure 4.5 inches long by about 1 inch in diameter and have five LED lights, a compartment to hold 20 matches, a striker to light matches, and a compass on the top of the cap.

The promotional flashlights may pose a burn hazard to customers due to the striker pad on the inside of the cap under the compass. If the matches rub the striker on the top of the cap inside the cylinder it may cause the matches to ignite, posing a burn hazard.

The recalled products were manufactured in China under Altria Group Distribution Company, of Richmond, Virginia where they were distributed to Marlboro customers by Marlboro.com and 1-800-Marlboro free of charge from January 2014 through March 2014.

The advertising of tobacco is one of the highest regulated forms of advertising due to the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act of 1970 which banned cigarette advertisement on American radio and television as well as requiring stronger health warnings on the labels. This has led to tobacco companies using a number of alternate means to promote their products, such as giving away promotional items at concerts and events attended by potential smokers.

The CPSC warns that customers should stop using the recalled products, remove the matches from the storage compartment, and contact Altria Group Distribution Company at 888-597-5387 or visit them online at www.marlboro.com or www.philipmorrisusa.com for instructions on how to receive a free replacement item of equal or greater value.