From 2010 to 2023, there were over 134,000 cases of nicotine poisoning in children under 6 in the U.S., with recent years seeing a sharp increase in cases related to nicotine pouches.

While most poisoning cases are mild, 39 children experienced serious side effects, and two deaths have been reported due to liquid nicotine ingestion, highlighting the danger.

Most children show mild symptoms like nausea, but 1.2% suffer severe outcomes such as seizures or respiratory failure, including two fatalities among children under 2.

Experts stress the importance of keeping nicotine products, especially nicotine pouches, out of reach of children by storing them securely, avoiding use in front of kids, and having the national Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222) readily available for emergencies.

Nicotine pouches can contain up to 6 milligrams of nicotine, marketed as tobacco-free but not FDA-approved as nicotine replacement therapies, increasing potential health risks.

Many nicotine pouches lack child-resistant packaging and come in appealing flavors, increasing the risk of accidental ingestion among children.

Although nicotine pouches account for only 1.4% of incidents, they are 1.5 times more likely to cause serious health issues and twice as likely to lead to hospital admissions compared to other nicotine products.

Nicotine pouches, which contain nicotine powder and are placed in the mouth, have been linked to more severe medical outcomes and hospitalizations than products like gum, e-liquids, and tablets.

A study published in Pediatrics reports a significant rise in nicotine poisonings among children under 6, with cases increasing sharply from 2020 to 2023, largely due to nicotine pouches.

The number of unintentional nicotine pouch ingestions among children increased from 0.48 per 100,000 in 2020 to 4.14 per 100,000 in 2023, a 763% rise, with the popular brand Zyn being a major contributor.

Some nicotine pouches contain high concentrations of nicotine, up to 15 mg per pouch, which can lead to poisoning, especially if multiple pouches are consumed.

Public health officials emphasize the urgent need for measures like safer storage, design changes, and possibly a federal ban on flavored nicotine products to prevent these dangerous ingestions.

Implementing design restrictions on e-cigarettes and promoting safer storage practices are crucial steps to prevent children from accessing nicotine products and reduce poisoning incidents.