A recent study by pediatricians at the US Nationwide Children’s Hospital has revealed a sharp rise in cases of nicotine poisoning among young children caused by ingesting nicotine pouches.
What Are Nicotine Pouches?
Also called “white snus,” these pouches typically contain powdered nicotine mixed with sweeteners and flavorings. Users place them between the lip and gum, allowing the nicotine to gradually absorb into the bloodstream.
Although US poison centers only began recording nicotine pouch ingestion as a distinct category in 2020, the number of reported cases involving children under age six jumped by 763 percent between 2020 and 2023.
This dramatic increase is especially troubling because white snus is 1.5 times more likely to lead to serious health effects, and twice as likely to require hospitalization, compared to other nicotine products like gum or e-cigarette liquids.
Experts Sound the Alarm
“Nicotine pouches pose a serious and growing threat of toxic ingestion among young children,” explained Dr. Hannah Hays, medical director of the Central Ohio Poison Center and co-author of the study.
“The steep rise in both frequency and severity of these cases highlights the public health risks tied to the evolving nicotine product market. We urgently need to continue monitoring and strengthen prevention efforts to protect young children from accidental exposure.
The research analyzed 134,663 cases of nicotine ingestion involving children, reported to US poison control centers from 2010 to 2023. Most incidents took place in the home and involved children under the age of two.
The study also underscored the dangers of e-liquid used in vaping devices.These products caused similarly high rates of serious health outcomes, including the tragic deaths of two toddlers — aged 12 and 17 months — who died in separate incidents after swallowing vape liquids.
Legislation Shows Positive Impact
On a more hopeful note, the researchers found that overall nicotine ingestion rates among children declined following legislation passed in 2015. The Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act, in particular, mandated child-resistant packaging for liquid nicotine and appears to have made a meaningful difference.
“This change in trends coincided with new state and federal laws, suggesting that legislation can be effective,” noted Dr. Gary Smith of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Still, ingestion of liquid nicotine remains more frequent than any other nicotine product, showing there’s still work to be done.”
Recommendations for Parents and Caregivers
To reduce risk, the researchers urge caregivers to store nicotine products in locked containers or out of sight and reach. They also recommend avoiding using these products around children, especially those that resemble treats — such as colorful vapes, pouch tins, or gum-like nicotine.
The appearance, flavor, and packaging of these products, the authors note, make them particularly attractive — and dangerous — to curious children.
“Many of these nicotine products look and smell like everyday food items,” the study warns. “That makes it easy for a young child to mistake them for candy or snacks.”
Dr. Smith emphasizes that stricter regulations on flavoring, branding, and packaging could help make these products less enticing to children.
“Banning flavors across all nicotine products would not only reduce the risk of accidental ingestion in children but also help deter use among teenagers,” he concluded.
Read the original article on: Science Alert
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