More and more young children are getting sick after getting their hands on nicotine products such as vape e-liquids and pouches.
According to a study published in Pediatrics, more than 134,000 cases of nicotine poisonings were reported in the U.S. among those under the age of 6 between 2010 and 2023.
Most, if not all, of these cases happened at home.
They included exposures to vapes, chewing tobacco, nicotine pouches, regular cigarettes, and nicotine replacement products.
However, studies are showing that it’s nicotine pouches that are driving up the number of poisoning cases among young children.
From 2020 to 2023, the rate of nicotine poisonings increased from 0.48 per 100,000 to 4.14 per 100,000. That’s an increase of 763 percent in just three years.
Nicotine pouches, which individuals tuck between their gums and lips, contain as much as 6 mg of nicotine.
While they are often marketed as being a spit-free, tobacco-free alternative to chewing tobacco and cigarettes, they are not approved by the FDA as nicotine replacement products.
The owner of Zyn, a popular brand of nicotine pouches, said their products are designed to be child-resistant.
According to a 2021 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sales of nicotine pouches increased significantly over the past ten years, from $700,000 in 2016 to $216 million in the mid-2020s.
Dr. Molly O’Shea, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, believes it’s inevitable that they would eventually get into the hands of younger children.”
The Dangers of Nicotine In Young Children
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that can be deadly for young children.
It’s a type of stimulant that raises blood pressure, heart rate, and can also cause nausea, vomiting, and in some cases, even lead to coma.
While most cases of nicotine poisoning aren’t serious enough to warrant medical attention, some children do experience significant side effects, including seizures and difficulty breathing.
In the recent study, two toddlers – a one-year-old boy and a one-and-a-half-year-old boy – died after consuming liquid nicotine found in vapes.
Preventing Nicotine Poisoning In Young Children
Children are curious by nature. This is especially true for babies and toddlers, who explore the world by putting things in their mouths.
Unfortunately, many brands of nicotine patches do not come with child-resistant packaging. They also taste good, as most are also fruit or mint-flavored.
O’Shea emphasized that the most important thing is to keep all nicotine products out of children’s reach. That means not leaving them on the counter or in a drawer. Instead, they should be securely locked away.
It’s not just parents who must be mindful of where they keep their nicotine products, either. According to one recent study, the use of nicotine pouches has nearly doubled among high school students between 2023 and 2024.
