Surge in child poisonings spark fresh fears about nicotine vaping
A surge in potentially deadly e-cigarette poisonings and the strength of nicotine liquid detected in Victoria has prompted a fresh health warning to parents about the dangers of children and liquid nicotine.
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A surge in potentially deadly e-cigarette poisonings and the strength of nicotine liquid detected in Victoria has prompted a fresh health warning over the dangers of vaping.
Already this year the Victorian Poisons Information Centre has received 38 calls for poisoning due to liquid from e-cigarettes, including 17 cases of sick children.
Last year the centre dealt with 12 reports of children poisoned by e-cigarette liquids, including an 18-month-old baby who died after consuming his mother’s liquid nicotine.
The cases come as health authorities detect a massive increase in the concentration of nicotine contained in vaping liquids.
While standard pre-packaged vaping liquids are between .06 per cent to 0.38 per cent nicotine, there have been seven Victoria poisoning cases where nicotine has been 10 per cent or above – more than 26 times the usual concentration.
In response to the surge and recommendations from Victoria’s coroner following the baby’s death, Health Minister Jenny Mikakos will today launch a video campaign highlighting the dangers of using and storing e-cigarettes around children.
“Sadly, children have become severely unwell or died after swallowing e-cigarette liquid. We are acting to keep our kids safe,” she said.
“I urge vapers to be vigilant – make sure your e-liquids are locked up and out of reach and out of sight of children.”
“There’s no doubt about it, vaping is dangerous. It harms your health and can harm the ones you love.”
Despite the sale of liquid nicotine being illegal in Australia, the products remain widespread in Victoria due to under-the-counter sales and distribution over the internet.
VPIC acting manager Dawson MacLeod said the full extent of child nicotine poisonings is likely to be much higher, with other cases taken directly to paediatric hospitals or attended by paramedics but not reported.
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A serious case in recent months saw a young child having to be resuscitated in NSW, and Dr MacLeod warned the liquid was absorbed through the skin so could poison simply by touch.
“Adults get tolerant to nicotine to a certain extent, so vaping these higher concentrations is what they do,” Dr Macleod said.
“But if you are comparing a 100kg adult verses a 10kg child, it is very different.”
If you suspect a child has swallowed nicotine call the Victorian Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.