E-Cigarettes Are A Danger To Young Kids

If you think back to a decade or so ago, not many of us would have even heard of an e-cigarette, however today it’s a very popular alternative to the traditional tobacco cigarette.

Supposedly a lot less harmful to the body – a new study suggests something to the contrary. According to the study by AAP titled “Pediatric Exposure to E-Cigarettes, Nicotine, and Tobacco Products in the United States” , there has been a drastic increase in the number of kids at risk for nicotine poisoning over the past three years.

The study found that an average of 729 calls per month regarding nicotine and tobacco product exposures among kids younger than 6 years of age, were received by the National Poison Data System, between the period January 2012 and April 2015.

E-cigarette inquiries increased by close to 1500% during the 40-month study while calls about exposure to regular cigarettes remained unchanged.

The study also suggests that children who are exposed to e-cigarettes were 5 times more likely to be admitted to a health care facility compared to those who were exposed to regular cigarettes.

They were also more than 2.5 times more likely to suffer severe medical outcomes and this is because 90% of children were exposed to liquid nicotine through ingestion.

The report even refers to the death of a 1-year-old child which was associated with drinking nicotine liquid from an open refill container.

Introduced to the market in 2007, E-cigarettes are currently unregulated by the Food and Drug administration, however this study clearly indicates there’s a need for some form of regulation.

If you or someone in your home smokes e-cigarettes, here are a few tips to avoid accidental exposure to your kids: 

1. Make it a rule to not use e-cigarettes around children. Using e-cigarettes or even just refilling them with children nearby could lead to a dangerous exposure – the colors, images and smells may attract children.
2. E-cigarettes and refill products must be stored out of sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked location. Do not store them in places where children can easily access, such as a purse.
3. Have the Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222) saved on your cell phone so that if your child has been exposed you are able to call the help line immediately.