Nicotine Poisoning Risk to Young Children (American Academy of Pediatrics study)

Mariposa Coalition
Oct 29
2 min read

Mariposa County parents and caregivers are being urged to take extra precautions with nicotine pouches and other nicotine-containing products, following new research published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The study, "Nicotine Ingestions Among Young Children: 2010-2023," reveals a sharp rise in accidental poisonings among children under the age of 5, particularly due to nicotine pouches.

These small, flavored products may look like candy or gum to a child, but just one pouch can cause serious harm -- including vomiting, seizures, and even life-threatening complications if ingested.

While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has urged all nicotine pouch manufacturers to use child-resistant packaging, this is not regulated. We urge parents and caregivers to consider the following recommendations.

Recommendations for Parents and Caregivers:

Keep nicotine products out of reach and sight of children. Store nicotine pouches the same way you would store medicines or cleaning products -- high up and locked away.
Teach children that nicotine products are not toys or treats. Use age-appropriate language to explain that these items can make them very sick.
Save the Poison Control 24/7 Help Line number in your phone: 1-800-222-1222. This simple step could save valuable time in an emergency.
If you suspect your child has swallowed or absorbed a nicotine pouch, call Poison Control immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.

About the study

The study from the American Academy of Pediatrics tracked over a decade of data and found a troubling increase in nicotine exposures, particularly in the last few years with the rise in popularity of nicotine pouches. their small size, appealing flavors, and lack of child-resistant packaging in some brands make them especially dangerous in households with young children.

A Community-Wide Concern

"Even one accidental ingestion can be extremely dangerous for a toddler," added Raider Fowler, the Public Health Educator for Mariposa County. "We're encouraging all families to take this warning seriously and to share the information with friends, babysitters, and grandparents."

For more information on child poisoning prevention, visit the National Capital Poison Control Center at Poison.org. For more information about nicotine-containing products like nicotine pouches and vapes, contact the Mariposa County Tobacco Education Program at TobaccoEducation@MariposaCounty.org.

To read the published study, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics.

View or download the Press Release from the Mariposa County Tobacco Education Program below.