Edited by: TJVNews.com

In recent years, the rise of e-cigarettes and vaping devices has brought about concerns beyond just their potential health impacts on users, as was reported by the New York Times. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now issuing a stern reminder to caregivers about the need to store tobacco vaping cartridges safely, in order to prevent inadvertent poisoning incidents involving children. The NYT reported that the agency’s warning comes in response to a troubling increase in cases of e-cigarette exposures, particularly among young children.

According to a newsletter published by the FDA, there has been a sharp uptick in exposures to e-cigarettes and e-liquids reported to U.S. poison centers. As was reported by the NYT, this data, drawn from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, reveals a 32 percent increase in exposures during March 2023 compared to April 2022. The majority of these incidents involve children under the age of 5. This worrisome trend is supported by national data, which points to a record-high number of exposures in the previous year, the report added.

One contributing factor to this alarming situation is the increased presence of e-cigarette products within households. Dr, Anthony Jaworski, clinical program manager for the Poison Control Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, explained in the NYT report that as these products become more commonplace, more children are gaining access to them. The FDA’s previous restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes have faced loopholes and the proliferation of illegal products, resulting in the presence of fruit and candy-flavored vaping cartridges in homes, the Times report added. These flavors, combined with enticing packaging, attract the curiosity of young children.

“We’re seeing more of these products in the household,” Dr. Jaworski said, according to the NYT report. “And with more of these products in the household, more children are getting access to them.”

The risks associated with these exposures are not to be underestimated. The NYT report indicated that even a small amount of liquid nicotine, as found in e-liquids, can be harmful if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. “Each milliliter of vaping liquid can contain the amount of nicotine that is equivalent to about one or two or even sometimes five cigarettes,”  Dr. Jaworski told the NYT. Consequently, swift actions are needed to prevent access to these substances by children.

While most reported cases in children tend to be “mild,” causing symptoms like vomiting, paleness, and sweating, they can still be distressing for both children and parents. The NYT report noted that these symptoms typically arise within minutes of exposure and can last for up to a couple of hours. However, more severe effects, including seizures, respiratory arrest, and even death, are possible, underlining the importance of vigilance, the NYT report added.

Dr. Jaworski strongly emphasized that caregivers should be aware of symptoms lasting beyond a few hours, as well as any signs of confusion or excessive tiredness, which could indicate that nicotine has reached the brain, as was reported by the NYT. In the event of an accidental exposure, caregivers are urged to contact Poison Control immediately.

Prevention remains the key to safeguarding children from these risks. Ideally, parents and caregivers should avoid keeping vaping products in the home. However, the NYT report said that if they choose to do so, there are steps they can take to mitigate risks. Caregivers are advised to steer clear of flavored products that may appear appealing to children and to refrain from using or refilling e-cigarettes in front of them, the Times report added.

Safe storage practices play a pivotal role. Dr. Natalie Rine, director of the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital underscores the significance of options such as lockboxes and locked cabinets to prevent easy access by children, according to the NYT report. Although e-liquid containers are mandated to have child-resistant packaging, the FDA stresses the importance of securing product caps by ensuring they are tightly locked. Dr. Rine notes that, despite best efforts, children can sometimes be surprisingly resourceful, the report in the NYT stated.

“We really harp on safe storage,”  Dr. Rine told the NYT. She added that, “There are different things out there: lockboxes, locked cabinets — things kids can’t easily get into.”

The risks posed by e-cigarette exposures extend beyond children; pets are also at risk if they come into contact with the liquid, as was noted in the NYT report. The FDA report advises cleaning up any spilled e-cigarette or vaping liquid with soap and water. Furthermore, parents should communicate to children that these products are meant for adults only and should not be touched, the Times report added.

Teenagers and adolescents are not exempt from the dangers of e-cigarettes. The NYT report indicated that national survey data reveals that a substantial portion of high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2022, with some using them daily. Caregivers are encouraged to look for signs of vaping paraphernalia among their children’s belongings and to discuss the potential risks these products pose to their developing brains, particularly concerning impulse control, learning, and mood, the report said.

“There’s this misconception that since it doesn’t have that stinky odor, it’s obviously going to be safer,” Dr. Rine told the NYT. “Any amount of nicotine is going to be addictive, and addiction happens quickly.”

Educating both children and adolescents about the risks associated with e-cigarettes and employing safety measures can help curb this rising trend and protect the health and well-being of the younger generation.

If you or someone you know may have ingested a dangerous substance, please contact Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222 or go to poisonhelp.org for assistance.