CDC: E-Cigarette Poison Center Calls on the Rise

According to the CDC’s Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report, the number of e-cigarette-related poison center calls has risen significantly from 2010 to 2014.

Nationwide, poison centers have reported a dramatic increase in the quantity and proportion of e-cigarette-related calls monthly. E-cigarette calls rose from 1 per month in September 2010 to 215 per month in February 2014, while the volume of calls involving conventional cigarettes remained unchanged. The proportion of e-cigarette calls relative to conventional cigarettes climbed from 0.3% to 41.7% over the same time period.

Electronic cigarette poisonings were more likely to involve reports of adverse events (eg, vomiting, nausea, eye irritation) than similar exposures to conventional cigarettes. Furthermore, 51.1% of e-cigarette calls to poison control centers involved children <5 years old.

Currently, liquid nicotine intended for refilling e-cigarettes does not require childproof packaging and is also available in candy and fruit flavors that appeal to children. Poisonings from these liquids occur as a result of exposure through the skin or eyes, by inhalation, or by ingestion. In contrast, ingestion alone represents the majority of conventional cigarette poisonings in young children.

Want to read more?