New study finds sharp increase in nicotine pouch ingestions among young children

A recent study has uncovered a significant increase in cases of young children ingesting nicotine pouches. Researchers from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute and the Central Ohio Poison Center analyzed data from U.S. poison centers, revealing a troubling 763% rise in reported nicotine pouch ingestions among children under 6 years old from 2020 to 2023.

Compared to other nicotine products like gum, e-liquids, and tablets, nicotine pouches were more likely to result in serious medical outcomes or hospitalizations. The study highlighted the growing trend of unintentional ingestion of nicotine pouches by young children, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and prevention efforts.

Dr. Hannah Hays, the medical director of the Central Ohio Poison Center and co-author of the study, emphasized the urgency of addressing the toxic ingestion hazard posed by nicotine pouches. The study, published in Pediatrics, also examined trends in nicotine ingestion from 2010 to 2023, revealing fluctuations in ingestion rates for different nicotine formulations.

One notable finding was the impact of legislative measures, such as the Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act of 2015, which required child-resistant packaging for liquid nicotine. Despite improvements in liquid nicotine ingestion rates, challenges remain in reducing overall nicotine ingestion among young children.

Dr. Gary Smith, the senior author of the study, highlighted the role of flavored nicotine products in attracting young children and emphasized the importance of banning flavors to mitigate unintentional ingestions and discourage teen use. The study also provided safety tips for parents and caregivers to prevent nicotine exposure in young children.

As the study sheds light on the complexities of nicotine ingestion trends, it underscores the need for continued surveillance and public health interventions to safeguard children from the risks associated with nicotine products.