California Poison Control Warns E-Cigarette Smokers to Lock Up Nicotine
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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – September 28, 2015 – San Francisco, CA – Poison centers are reporting a recent uptick in calls about exposures to e-cigarette devices and liquid nicotine, according to the National Poison Data System. The calls concern accidental poisoning of small children related to e-cigarette smoking or “vaping.” Slightly more than half of these reported exposures have occurred in children under the age of six. Liquid nicotine juice, chocolate and other sweet flavors are tempting to children because the colorful packaging and flavors are hard to resist. Nicotine overdose can cause anxiety, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, loss of consciousness and death. Safe disposal of these products must be done to prevent exposure to children and pets from the residue or liquid left in the containers.
“E-cigarette use has skyrocketed in the past few years, because people believe it’s safer than smoking actual cigarettes,” says Dr. Stuart E. Heard, executive director of California Poison Control System (www.calpoison.org) (CPCS). “We are seeing studies that link e-cigarettes to asthma, lung inflammation, MRSA infection risk and exposure to inhaled chemicals. We’re just beginning to learn the health risks for e-cigarette smokers, but the risks to children are undeniable.”
He added that vaping also can be a gateway for minors to real cigarettes. A recent study at USC’s Keck School of Medicine tracked 2,530 high school freshmen. Of those, 222 had never smoked real cigarettes but had tried e-cigarettes. Six months later, 30.7 percent of the 222 students had also tried combustible tobacco products.
“Our main concern right now is minimizing risks to children and young adults from vaping and liquid nicotine,” said Dr. Heard. “Nicotine can be poisonous, and people who use it must keep it away from children.” In case of an accidental poisoning, consumers should immediately call 1-800-222-1222.
About CPCS
Follow CPCS on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/iS6S7J and on Twitter @poisoninfo. Sign up for free weekly safety text messages texting TIPS or PUNTOS for Spanish to 69866; and download a free app at Choose Your Poison. Poison information experts are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help. In most cases, a poison exposure can be safely managed in your home, avoiding a call to 911 or a visit to a crowded hospital emergency room.
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