Vapes Overtake Cigarettes as Leading Nicotine Exposure Risk for Young Children
Dangerous nicotine exposures from vapes in U.S. children under 6 soared 243% from 2016 to 2023, while exposures from cigarettes and other traditional tobacco products fell 43%. The study, based on more than 92,000 poison control reports, said many recent cases involved children actively using e-cigarette devices.
Vaping has emerged as a new foe for child health experts, with dangerous nicotine exposures from vapes in kids under age 6 soaring 243% between 2016 and 2023. Looking at more than 92,000 U.S. poison control center reports of nicotine exposures in young children, researchers found that exposures from cigarettes and other traditional tobacco products dropped by 43% over the same period.
Young kids who ingest a vaping product are also facing much higher health risks than those who play with or eat tobacco, the researchers noted. Many recent cases involve children actively using e-cigarette devices after gaining access to them.
The surge in nicotine poisonings linked to vapes has continued despite efforts to safeguard kids. Recently passed laws mandate that liquid nicotine is only sold in child-resistant containers in New Jersey, similar to many other states, but child-resistant packaging may prevent a toddler from swallowing liquid nicotine and does not stop a child from copying what they see an adult do.
The researchers said this study underscores the need for safety regulations at the device level. They said manufacturers should be required to include flow restrictors or designs that make it more difficult for a child to activate a device.
The findings were published April 3 in JAMA Network Open.