CPSC Recall in 1998: CPSC, ERA Intermarketing Co. Inc. Announce Recall of Disposable Lighters

Updated on January 18, 2026.

See the recall details below. You can also see similar information for other consumer product recalls in 1998.

Data Source: CPSC.

Recall Number: 98-094

Date: April 08, 1998

Product Name: Elite-2 disposable cigarette lighters

Recall Description:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ERA Intermarketing Co. Inc. of City of Industry, Calif., is recalling about 840,000 Elite-2 disposable cigarette lighters. The lighters do not meet the 1994 requirement for child-resistant mechanisms in violation of the Consumer Product Safety Act. This act requires a mechanism on disposable and novelty lighters shown to prevent ignition of the lighters by most children under 5 years old. Each year, CPSC estimates 190 deaths are caused by children under 5 years old playing with lighters. CPSC and ERA Intermarketing are not aware of any injuries involving these cigarette lighters. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The Elite-2 lighters are made of clear plastic tinted in assorted colors. The metal top is labeled "ELITE," and the lighter label bears the bar code: "16229 12001" and the date code, "3/97." Small retailers sold the Elite-2 cigarette lighters nationwide from June 1997 to March 1998 for about $1. Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately and return them to ERA Intermarketing for a full refund, including postage, at: Product Recall ERA Intermarketing Co., Inc. 200 S. 5th Avenue City of Industry, CA 91746 For more information about this recall, consumers should call ERA Intermarketing Co. Inc. toll-free at (888) 682-2388 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT Monday through Friday. CPSC discovered this defective product as part of ongoing import surveillance in conjunction with the U.S. Customs Service.

Hazard Description:

The lighters do not meet the 1994 requirement for child-resistant mechanisms in violation of the Consumer Product Safety Act. This act requires a mechanism on disposable and novelty lighters shown to prevent ignition of the lighters by most children under 5 years old.

Consumer Action:

Remedy Type:

Refund

Units: About 840,000

Incidents:

CPSC and ERA Intermarketing are not aware of any injuries involving these cigarette lighters.

Sold At:

Small retailers sold the Elite-2 cigarette lighters nationwide from June 1997 to March 1998 for about $1. 

Manufactured In: