Altria Group Distribution Co., Richmond, Va., is recalling about 365,000 of its Marlboro cigarette promotional flashlights due to burn and injury hazards, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced Thursday.
Altria—the parent company of Philip Morris USA, which makes Marlboro cigarettes—recalled the bronze three-in-one flashlight, compass and match holders after receiving 11 reports about the matches igniting inside the flashlight, according to the CPSC. In two cases, the product exploded. One user received minor burns while another needed medical attention for unspecified hand injuries.
The China-made flashlight, which was distributed between January and March through the Marlboro Country Uncovered Promotion, is 4.5×1″, and includes five L.E.D. lights, a match compartment that contains 20 matches, and a compass cap with a striker pad on the inside, according to the CPSC. The item is distributed with a foam insert between the matches and a striker pad, but it is believed the matches come in contact with the striker pad and ignite after the consumer removes foam insert.
The CPSC advises consumers to immediately remove the matches from the product and store them safely. Altria is offering a free replacement item of equal or greater value.
For more information or to contact Altria, call (888) 597-5387 between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or visit www.3in1flashlightrecall.com.
