E-cigarette poisonings in kids rise at alarming rate

by Stepy — May 16, 2016

E-cigarette poisonings in kids rise at alarming rate

E-cigarette poisonings in kids is becoming a serious epidemic in the past few years, according to new research.

The worst part is that the kids who are being poisoned by e-cigarettes seem to be suffering worse complications than those exposed to traditional cigarettes.

The liquid nicotine in the devices is the main culprit for e-cigarette poisonings in kids.

“If this were an infectious disease, this would be headlines across the country,” said Dr. Gary Smith, director of Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Center for Injury Research and Policy in Ohio. Smith noted that e-cigarette poisonings in kids rose 1,500 percent from 2012-2015.

“E-cigarettes and liquid nicotine can cause serious poisoning, and even death, among young children,” he said. “Like other dangerous poisons, they should be kept out of sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked location.”

This research comes after the FDA’s statement announcing the ban on sale of e-cigarettes to underage children.

“This final rule is a foundational step that enables the FDA to regulate products young people were using at alarming rates, like e-cigarettes, cigars and hookah tobacco, which had gone largely unregulated,” said Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA Center for Tobacco Products.

The study abstract explained the results of the study:

From January 2012 through April 2015, the National Poison Data System received 29 141 calls for nicotine and tobacco product exposures among children younger than 6 years, averaging 729 child exposures per month. Cigarettes accounted for 60.1% of exposures, followed by other tobacco products (16.4%) and e-cigarettes (14.2%). The monthly number of exposures associated with e-cigarettes increased by 1492.9% during the study period. Children <2 years old accounted for 44.1% of e-cigarette exposures, 91.6% of cigarette exposures, and 75.4% of other tobacco exposures. Children exposed to e-cigarettes had 5.2 times higher odds of a health care facility admission and 2.6 times higher odds of having a severe outcome than children exposed to cigarettes. One death occurred in association with a nicotine liquid exposure.

The researchers recommend the following to keep kids around you safe if you use e-cigarettes:

“Liquid nicotine needs to be treated like any other poison in your home,” said study co-author Henry Spiller, director of the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. “If you vape, store vaping supplies, especially refill containers, up, away and out of sight, preferably in a locked location. Don’t leave them lying around on the coffee table, in the cup holder in your car, or in your purse.”

The study showing the rise of e-cigarette poisonings in kids was published in the journal Pediatrics.

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REFERENCES:
1. “FDA Takes Significant Steps to Protect Americans from Dangers of Tobacco through New Regulation.” FDA.gov. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. Web. 10 May 2016.
2. “E-Cigarette Poisonings Skyrocket Among Young Kids: Study.” Health. Health, 09 May 2016. Web. 16 May 2016.
3. “Pediatric Exposure to E-Cigarettes, Nicotine, and Tobacco Products in the United States.” Pediatrics. Pediatrics, n.d. Web. 16 May 2016.