Coroner to deliver findings on baby’s nicotine poisoning death

There is “no controversy” around the devastating incident where a baby died after ingesting liquid nicotine from an e-cigarette, according to a Coroner. But he believes more should be done to raise public awareness of the dangers of liquid nicotine.

An example of an e-cigarette

A coroner may back a push to make liquid nicotine legal in Australia to ensure there is more regulation around the product.

Phillip Byrne called for more public awareness on the dangers of liquid nicotine and said legalising it could give authorities more control.

Mr Byrne said he was considering a report from Associate Professor Colin Mendelsohn, chairman of the Australian Tobacco Harm ­Reduction Association, that wanted it to become legal.

The comments were made as he presided over the case of a 19-month-old Melbourne toddler who died after consuming the toxic fluid while his mother’s head was turned.

Mr Byrne has yet to deliver his finding on the case of Baby J who died on June 10, 2018, 11 days after ingesting the liquid at the family home in Melbourne’s northwest.

The state government is also continuing its push for more control of so-called e-liquids used for vaping.

There are calls for more public awareness of the dangers of liquid nicotine. on Mark Cranitch.

Acting Health Minister Gabrielle Williams said the state would urge the federal government to protect children from the dangerous liquids.

Mr Byrne said he was still considering expert opinions on whether greater regulation of liquid nicotine would work.

Baby J’s mother bought the nicotine, illegal in Australia, from an online retailer in the US, where it is legal.

“We have a public health and safety prerogative,” Mr Byrne said.

The summary inquest heard Baby J’s mother had been placing liquid nicotine into bottles of vape juice on her kitchen table.

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As the mother was putting away the bottles, she looked away briefly and then turned and noticed a bottle of the liquid nicotine in Baby J’s mouth, the court heard.

Despite his mother’s desperate attempts, the infant died in the Royal Children’s Hospital’s intensive care unit.

Mr Byrne said there was “no controversy” around the circumstances of the incident.

“(Baby J) was a much-loved and well-cared-for child,” he said.

“His mother has experienced unimaginable grief. It’s had a profound impact on her mental and psychological wellbeing. The circumstances represent a momentary lapse of vigilance, not of supervising neglect.”

A report by Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine forensic pathologist Melissa Baker listed Baby J’s death as “hypoxic ischaemic post-cardiac arrest’’ and “nicotine ­toxicity”.

Mr Byrne expected to deliver his finding before Wednesday next week.

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@IanRoyall