Calls about E-cigarettes up 600%: Washington Poison Center

Source from:  The Global Dispatch  09/22/2014

The phenomenon of "vaping" (using an E-cigarette, which resembles smoking) and availability of E-cigarettes and liquid　nicotine has dramatically increased over the past several years across the country.

The Washington Poison Center (WAPC) has seen a staggering increase in total calls to the poison center by over 600% compared to previous years, according to data presented in their most recent Toxic Trends Report.

Experts from the WAPC say , E-cigarettes contain high concentrations of liquid nicotine which can poison a child with a single mouthful.

"Sick from nicotine includes things like vomiting, ultimately, if they've taken enough of it — which isn't very much if you're dealing with taking concentrated nicotine," says Dr Lewis Nelson, a medical toxicologist. "Muscle paralysis and even death is possible."

Nelson points out that its easy to take in too much due to the concentration of the product. One e-cigarette can contain anywhere from 18 to 72 milligrams of nicotine.

How can you keep your child safe from liquid nicotine?

The WAPC says it is important to store all nicotine products out of reach of children. Children may be attracted to liquid nicotine products because they come in brightly colored packages, are flavored, and are not required to have child resistant packaging. Parents also should not use e-cigarette products around young children as young kids may be tempted to mimic the actions of older adults. Enditem