E-Cigs Dangerous? Cases of Child Nicotine Poisoning Increases

Smoking is dangerous to health due to its carcinogenic substance. Some individuals who love puffing vapor resort to e-cigarettes, which are less harmful than the traditional ones. However, while e-cigarettes' popularity continues to grow, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions reported that it also led to a number of nicotine poisoning cases in the recent years, according to U.S. News.

The report says that nicotine poisoning is a growing concern for American children.  In fact, Florida Surgeon General, Dr. John Armstrong, perceived the increase as alarming public health concern and calls parents, businesses and e-cigarette users to be vigilant in keeping the said items away from their children, according to WFLA.

The report suggests that the number of calls received involving e-cigarettes liquids containing nicotine has increased from one per month since September 2010 to 215 cases per month in February 2014, according to a study published last year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over 50 percent of the calls involved young children below five years old. The number of calls received involving the traditional cigarettes during the same period did not show the same significant increase.

In view of the said problem, U.S. News reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will require warning labels and child-resistant packaging on liquid nicotine products, including those used in e-cigarettes. This move is very important because even a small amount of liquid nicotine can cause death, according to Jonathan Foulds, a professor of public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine.     

Armstrong agreed about adding warning labels on e-cigarettes and stressed that this step is crucial in letting the public know about the dangers that nicotine addiction could bring. He added that population of high school students in the U.S. who utilize e-cigarettes tripled in one year, WFLA has learned.

Although the proposed FDA measures will be a big help, Foulds, via U.S. News, still encourage adults to be responsible for using childproofing features and to make sure that any sources of nicotine is away from their  children's reach.

"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," Foulds said.

He also stressed that there are hundreds of cases of poisoning from cigarettes annually that is why all nicotine products, including cigarettes should be secured in childproof packages.

A nicotine overdose can trigger anxiety, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, loss of consciousness or even death,  U.S. News reports.