August 3, 2023 – Thousands of kids are exposed to the risks of liquid nicotine in e-cigarettes annually, and the variety of reported exposures reached an all-time high last yr.
Doctors say a 2016 law to scale back the danger contained a serious flaw, NBC News reported. The Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act requires child-resistant packaging for vaping liquids – but not for the vaping devices themselves.
Contact with e-liquid vapor or liquid nicotine may cause dizziness, fainting and a drop in blood pressure in children. Even a couple of drops of the liquid could be fatal to a small child.
Last yr, 6,731 cases of nicotine exposure related to vaping were reported, based on Poison Aid“As of June 30, 2023, poison control centers have treated 3,863 cases of exposure to e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine,” the organization said.
“Poison control centers began receiving calls about e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine products in 2011, which coincides with the first time these products entered the U.S. market,” Poison Help said.
“These products often contain a higher concentration of the stimulant nicotine than other nicotine/tobacco products on the market. Some children and young children who come into contact with e-cigarettes or liquid nicotine have become very ill; some have even required emergency room visits, with nausea and vomiting being the main symptoms.”
Toxicologist Ryan Marino MD told NBC that refillable vaporizers are designed to contain liquid nicotine in a central container, making them dangerous for kids.
“Even e-cigarettes that appear more child-safe – because their nicotine is sealed in a removable cartridge – pose a risk because the cartridges can be broken open,” NBC said. “And some disposable e-cigarettes, which are currently the best-selling type on the market, allow users thousands of puffs and contain as much nicotine as several packs of cigarettes.”
A spokesman for the e-cigarette industry said all e-liquid bottles manufactured within the country comply with U.S. laws.
“Not only are the caps childproof, but the flow of liquid is restricted so only small amounts can be dispensed,” said April Meyers of the Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association, which represents the e-cigarette industry.