Liquid Nicotine From E-Cigs Poses Poison Danger to Kids

Even small amounts of the chemical can cause serious illness, expert says

By Robert Preidt

Monday, August 3, 2015

MONDAY, Aug. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Nicotine poisoning is a growing concern for American children, but proposed U.S. federal government regulations alone aren't enough to solve the problem, an expert says.

The increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes has led to a number of cases of nicotine poisoning in recent years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration hopes to require warning labels and child-resistant packaging on liquid nicotine products, such as those used in e-cigarettes. Even a small amount of liquid nicotine can be lethal, Jonathan Foulds, a professor of public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine, said in a university news release.

The proposed FDA measures would help, but it's important for adults to consistently use the provided childproofing features and to keep all sources of nicotine out of children's reach, said Foulds.

"Simply put, nicotine is a poison and consumers need to take responsibility for keeping it away from children, whether it is in a childproof container or not," he said.

A nicotine overdose can cause anxiety, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, loss of consciousness or even death. All nicotine-containing products -- including cigarettes, liquid nicotine and nicotine-replacement lozenges -- can be harmful to youngsters and should come in childproof containers, Foulds explained.

"There are hundreds of cases of poisoning from cigarettes every year, and so all nicotine products, including cigarettes, should be in childproof packages," he said.

SOURCE: Penn State University, news release, July 23, 2015

HealthDay